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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Effects of Aripiprazole on Subjective and Physiological Responses to Alcohol
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research (OnlineEarly Articles) o8 Feb 2008

Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic with partial agonist activity at D2 receptors, which could reduce the reinforcing effects of alcohol.

The present study examined whether aripiprazole modifies the behavioral and physiological effects of a moderate dose of alcohol in a group of social drinkers.

Alcohol consumption produced physiological and subjective responses that were consistent with the literature on its effects. Pre-treatment with aripiprazole was generally well tolerated, with tiredness being the most commonly reported adverse event. The medication was associated with modest physiological effects. It also significantly and dose-dependently increased the sedative effects of alcohol and, to a lesser degree, decreased the euphoric effects of alcohol.

These findings require replication in a larger subject sample that includes heavy drinkers and in a study that employs a placebo session. Based on its capacity to increase the sedative effects and decrease the euphoric effects of alcohol, aripiprazole could be of value in the treatment of heavy drinking.

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Request Reprint E-Mail: kranzler@psychiatry.uchc.edu

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