Pregabalin for alcohol dependence: a critical review of the literature

Alcohol dependence represents a severe pathological disorder associated with a significant rate of morbidity and mortality. To date, limited pharmacological agents exist to treat this disorder, and there is a growing interest for new therapies. In this context, pregabalin represents a promising strategy. Pregabalin, like gabapentin, selectively binds to the α(2)δsubunit of voltage-gated calcium channels, inhibiting release of excessive levels of excitatory neurotransmitters. The main focus of this review is the clinical use of pregabalin in alcoholic patients, but the authors also reported some data about chemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of this drug.