Combined varenicline and naltrexone attenuates alcohol cue-elicited activation in heavy drinking smokers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is a strong bidirectional relationship between the use of alcohol and cigarettes which results in various challenges for treating those who co-use both substances. While varenicline and naltrexone each have FDA-approval for nicotine and alcohol use disorder, respectively, there is evidence that their clinical benefit may extend across the two disorders. Critically, the effect of combined varenicline and naltrexone on neural reactivity to alcohol cues among heavy drinking smokers has not yet been studied. Probing the effect of the combination therapy on alcohol cue-reactivity may give insight to the mechanisms underlying its efficacy.

Methods

Forty-seven heavy drinking smokers enrolled in two medication studies were randomized to receive varenicline alone (n 

SUBMITTER: Grodin EN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9059649 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature