"ONDANSETRON (Zofran)
What it is: Ondansetron is used to treat the nausea and vomiting caused by certain chemotherapies. It has been found to stop cravings, decrease alcohol consumption and increase abstinence in people who are early-onset alcoholics.
How it works: Ondansetron appears to work by acting on serotonin, one of the brain's many neurotransmitters. An imbalance between two chemical messengers in the brain, serotonin and dopamine, is believed to create a craving for alcohol. Ondansetron blocks a serotonin receptor, which decreases alcohol-induced dopamine release, resulting in a decrease in alcoholic-drinking behavior.
Side effects: Diarrhea, headache, constipation, weakness, dizziness, tiredness.
For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.
Availability: Physician prescription
Research: A total of 271 patients with diagnosed alcoholism received treatment with ondansetron (1 microg/kg, 4 microg/kg, or 16 microg/kg twice a day) or placebo for 11 weeks plus group cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients with early-onset alcoholism taking ondansetron had fewer drinks per day. Ondansetron, 4 microg/kg twice per day, was better than placebo in increasing the percentage of days abstinent per week. Results suggest that ondansetron (particularly the 4 microg/kg twice per day dosage) is an effective treatment for patients with early-onset alcoholism.
Johnson BA, Roache JD, Javors MA, et al. Ondansetron for reduction of drinking among biologically predisposed alcoholic patients: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 284(8):963-71, 2000."
