Currently three medications (disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate) are approved by the FDA to treat alcohol dependence by the FDA. The classical anticonvulsive drugs are rarely employed as an alternative because of their side effects, but the latest generation of anticonvulsants could be useful. The anticonvulsants can be a alternative to BZD and other pharmacological treatments in the prevention of complications during the detoxification therapy, because of the absence of addictive properties and a better adverse effects profile than classical anticonvulsant drugs. Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine, valproic acid, gabapentin and topiramate have shown to be excellent treatment for alcohol withdrawal and for the prevention of alcohol relapse. Although none of these agents have been approved by the FDA yet, there is growing evidence in the literature to support their use.
anticonvulsants; alcoholism; carbamazepine; valproic acid