The FDA has approved three drugs for alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. Each one acts in a unique way. A clinician can help you find the right match. They will check your health history and goals. They will also look at your other meds and safety needs. Other drugs may be used off-label or are still in studies.
Our editorial team runs a U.S. treatment directory. We do not provide treatment. This guide offers general info to help you talk with a doctor.
These drugs help with long-term care for alcohol use disorder. They do not undo being drunk. Also, you should not use them to manage withdrawal at home. If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 now. For mental health crisis support, call or text 988.
Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder: Key Facts
Medication is an evidence-based treatment option for alcohol use disorder.[1] This guide looks at the main types of medicine. It helps you get ready to ask your doctor questions. It is not a way for you to pick or change your own medicine. A clinician should talk with you about your goals and health history. If you are still working through your diagnosis, our overview of alcohol use disorder diagnostic criteria explains how severity is determined.
The FDA has approved three medicines for alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.[2] You may find other options, but only these three have specific approval.
Do not use these medicines for emergencies. They do not handle acute intoxication or withdrawal. If you think someone has alcohol poisoning or shows signs of severe withdrawal, get emergency help right away. For other withdrawal worries, talk to a healthcare professional soon. These drugs are meant for long-term care, not fast solutions.
3
medications are FDA-approved specifically for AUD[2]
Approved, Off-Label, and Investigational Choices
Medications for alcohol use disorder split into three groups by their legal standing. The FDA has cleared the approved ones for this condition. Off-label drugs treat other issues but may be used for AUD. Investigational agents are in clinical trials for AUD. Some of these trial drugs may already be approved for other health problems, even if not for alcohol use disorder. This breakdown helps you ask smart questions at your visit.
| Medication or Category | FDA Status | General Purpose | Clinician Discussion Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naltrexone | FDA-Approved | Reduces the likelihood of return to drinking and heavy drinking.[1] | Discuss how it fits your liver health and pain needs, and confirm you are not using opioids.[1][3] |
| Disulfiram | FDA-Approved | Causes a bad reaction if you drink alcohol.[4] | Talk about strict rules to avoid all alcohol-containing products and the risk of a disulfiram-ethanol reaction.[4][5] |
| Investigational Agents | In Trials Only | Being tested for safety and effectiveness for AUD in research. | Ask about trial availability if you want to join research. |
The Three FDA-Approved Medications
Each of the three approved medications plays a distinct role. Naltrexone is linked to a lower chance of resuming heavy drinking or drinking at all.[1] Acamprosate is tied to a reduced likelihood of returning to drinking.[1] Disulfiram triggers bad physical reactions if you consume alcohol, using that risk to discourage you.[4] These drugs are not identical. Your specific health profile determines the best fit, not just a side-by-side list. If naltrexone is the right fit for you, our guide to naltrexone for alcohol use disorder covers how it works and what to expect. If disulfiram is the right fit for you, our guide to disulfiram for alcohol use disorder explains how long treatment lasts. If you are choosing between forms, our guide to naltrexone injection vs oral compares the side effects and safety profiles. If acamprosate is the right fit for you, our guide to acamprosate for alcohol use disorder details how it works and its side effects.
Options Used Off-Label
A clinician might suggest an off-label medication such as gabapentin or topiramate.[6] This does not mean the drug is unsafe or experimental. It simply lacks specific FDA approval for AUD, though evidence backs its use in some cases. Your provider will review your medical history and available data to see if this path works for you. This guide does not rank one drug above another because individual results vary widely.
Investigational Drugs and the “New Drug” Issue
News or online posts may share news of fresh drugs for alcohol use disorder. It is vital to know if a drug is still in trials or has full FDA approval. As of June 2024, the FDA-approved medications specifically indicated for alcohol use disorder remain naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.[2] Before trusting claims of a breakthrough, check its status with your provider or FDA records. Do not treat it as an established standard of care until you verify it.
These drugs help control ongoing AUD symptoms. They differ from treatments for acute withdrawal. Check our guide on medications for alcohol withdrawal for safe handling of immediate physical effects. Short-term safety is the focus of withdrawal management. Long-term recovery goals are supported by AUD medication. For a broader look at how these drugs fit with counseling, see our guide to mat for alcohol use disorder.
How a Clinician Picks the Right Medication for You
One medication does not fit all people. A clinician helps you choose an option that matches your health history and what you want from treatment. Studies show that staying sober or cutting back on drinking can lower the risk of death. Both are valid goals to talk about.[7]
- State your goal. Tell your clinician what you hope treatment will help with, such as cutting back on drinks or stopping entirely.
- Review your health history. Share details about other health conditions, current medicines, supplements, and any past use of opioids.
- Discuss options and risks. Ask which treatments may fit your situation and what side effects or interactions need watching. You can learn more about managing medication side effects to prepare for this part of the chat.
- Agree on follow-up. Decide how to reach your clinician if problems arise and when you will review how the plan is working.
If you have a history of opioid use, it is critical to mention it before starting certain medications. See our guide on naltrexone safety with opioid history to learn why this point is so important.
What Should I Bring Up With a Clinician?
This self-check helps you prepare questions for your doctor. It is not a diagnosis and does not choose a medication for you.
Things to Talk About Before Using Meds
Your clinician picks the right med based on your health history and goals. Giving clear info at your visit helps them choose safely. Cover these main topics.
Main Safety Points
Tell the truth about any opioid use or past use. Naltrexone blocks the effects of opioids, so taking opioids or trying to overcome the block can lead to overdose or death.[3] Do not start naltrexone until a clinician has assessed your recent opioid use and confirmed it is safe, including any needed opioid-free interval. Do not start this med on your own. Read our guide on naltrexone safety with opioid history for more. If cost is a concern, our guide to insurance coverage for naltrexone explains how to verify benefits and appeal denials.
Mention any kidney problems too. Severe renal impairment is a contraindication for acamprosate.[8]
If disulfiram comes up, you must avoid all alcohol in food and products. This includes alcoholic beverages, medications like cough syrup, and other items such as mouthwash, aftershave, and certain sauces or condiments.[5] Continue avoiding these products for several weeks after stopping the drug.[5] If you accidentally consume alcohol and experience a severe reaction, seek emergency care immediately.
Tell your clinician if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. The CDC says no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy and advises full abstinence.[9] Your provider will talk through the best path based on your case. If pregnancy is part of your situation, our guide to alcohol rehab while pregnant covers the safe care settings to consider.
Check our guide on talking to your clinician for more tips on getting ready for this chat.
Before Your Medication Visit
Your ticks are saved on this device only.
AUD Medications Are Not for Emergencies
Medications for alcohol use disorder (AUD) support long-term recovery. They are not meant for emergencies. These drugs cannot reverse acute alcohol intoxication. If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 now. Alcohol overdose can put a person's life in jeopardy.[10]
Long-term AUD care is a different medical issue from acute withdrawal. Handling withdrawal is part of starting AUD treatment. However, it does not effectively treat AUD on its own.[11] This guide does not give a plan for detoxing at home. If you worry about withdrawal, talk to a healthcare professional about safe options. Read more about medications for alcohol withdrawal in our dedicated guide on that topic.
If you or someone you know has thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call or text 988.
Which AUD medicine you take decides what to do next if you drink. If you take disulfiram and drink, or if you develop severe symptoms after drinking, seek emergency care immediately. Call your prescriber right away for other AUD meds. Do not stop or change your medication without medical advice. Your doctor can safely help you change your plan. Read our guide on the steps after a relapse for tips on managing this.
Stick to the dose and timing your prescriber gave you. Before you change your routine, ask your doctor or pharmacist how your med works with alcohol or other substances. To see how your body responds over time, our guide to monitoring alcohol medication progress outlines what to watch for.
Mixing Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder with Other Care
People with alcohol use disorder have evidence-based choices for treatment, including medication.[1] Behavioral treatments and current medicines may help a person cut down on drinking or stay abstinent.[12] Talk to your clinician about which path matches your needs and goals.
Behavioral treatments like therapy, medication, and mutual support programs are evidence-based treatments for AUD.[13] Ask your clinician which options may work for you. If therapy feels like the right fit, our guide to CBT for alcohol use disorder walks through the techniques you might use. If you want a different therapeutic approach, our guide to DBT for alcohol addiction covers coping skills for cravings. If you hit a plateau, our guide to stuck in alcohol therapy helps you check if your current plan still fits.
| Treatment Component | Possible Role in Care | Question to Discuss |
|---|---|---|
| Medication | A treatment option to discuss as part of your plan.[1] | Which medication fits my health history and goals? |
| Counseling or Behavioral Treatment | An evidence-based treatment option.[13] | What type of therapy works best for my challenges? |
| Peer or Community Support | Can enhance engagement, reduce isolation, and promote self-efficacy.[14] | Are there local groups that meet at times I can attend? |
| Clinician Follow-Up | A chance to discuss your questions and how the plan fits your needs. | How often should I check in to review my progress? |
Recovery can grow with peer support. It boosts engagement, cuts down on feeling alone, and builds self-efficacy.[14] Ask your clinician how counseling and peer support would fit into a plan that works for your day-to-day life.
Locating a Clinician for Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder
Finding the right provider is a key step. You can start with your primary care clinician. An addiction medicine specialist or psychiatrist also works. If you are in a treatment program, ask if they can manage your medical care.
- Pick who to call. Choose a primary care doctor, addiction specialist, or treatment program.
- Ask about their experience. Call and ask if they check for alcohol use disorder. Also ask if they talk about medication options.
- Bring your questions. Use the checklist from earlier in this guide. Ask about follow-up plans and other services they offer.
Need more help? Check our guide on choosing a specialized alcohol program. It breaks down the different levels of care. For fast answers, call the SAMHSA National Helpline. It is a free, confidential service for people with substance use concerns.[15] You can also look at local listings on FindTreatment.gov. These are not sales calls. They share information and link you to care options. For a deeper look at how to match your needs to a setting, see our guide to alcohol rehab levels of care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common medications used to treat alcohol use disorder?
FDA-approved medication options for alcohol use disorder include naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram.[2] There is no reliable current data identifying a single most commonly prescribed medication for AUD. Usage frequency differs from clinical fit, so the best option depends on your individual health history and goals. A broader plan may include medication, counseling, and mutual support.[1][13] Ask how your goals and health history affect the choice.
What are three medications that have been approved to treat alcohol use disorder?
What medication is commonly used to treat alcohol intoxication?
If someone may have alcohol poisoning, call 911 right away. Do not wait for someone to sleep it off. Signs can include confusion, vomiting, seizures, or trouble waking.[10]
What is the new drug for alcohol use disorder?
For any medication you hear about, check whether it has FDA approval for alcohol use disorder. Ask a clinician about the status of any option you hear about.
Are medications for AUD used alongside counseling?
What should I discuss about AUD medication if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Tell your clinician if you are pregnant or nursing. Ask about the risks and benefits for your case. The CDC says there is no safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy.[9] Do not start or stop meds on your own.
