Research on Alcohol Patch Underway
Researchers plan to conduct trials to determine whether a skin patch
containing the drug mecamylamine can reduce excess drinking by curbing
alcohol cravings, Nature reported April 20.
The patch was originally developed as a quit-smoking aid. But preliminary
research shows that mecamylamine also may help curb alcohol addiction.
An initial study conducted by Jed Rose at Duke University in Durham,
N.C., found that people who consumed more than 10 alcoholic drinks
a week reduced their intake to six after taking mecamylamine for
four weeks.
Mecamylamine, which has been used since the 1950s to reduce high
blood pressure, dulls the addictive effects and cravings of drugs
by reducing the release of dopamine.
Rose and his team of researchers are applying for funding and ethical
approval for a formal trial.
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