Compositions and methods for increasing compliance with therapies using aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors and treating alcoholism

Abstract

Compositions and methods for treating, preventing, or reducing alcoholism, in particular methods for increasing patient compliance with therapies that require the intake of an ALDH inhibitor comprising the step of administering a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor.

Description

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Patent Application No. 60 / 338,901 filed on Nov. 5, 2001, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference.[0002] 1. Field of the Invention[0003] The present invention relates to compositions and methods for increasing patient compliance with therapies comprising the administration of aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors, and for preventing, ameliorating or treating alcoholism. Such compositions and methods may be used to facilitate alcohol cessation, and may comprise a combination of aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art[0005] Alcohol is a commonly abused drug. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), problematic alcohol use is divided into alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence.[0006] Alcohol abuse involves recurrent alcohol consumption that negatively affects one's life, wher...

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Problems solved by technology

Alcohol abuse and dependence commonly lead to other problems such as alcohol-related violence, motor vehicle accidents, and medical consequences of chronic alcohol ingestion including death [McRae et al., supra; Swift, supra].

Patients who consume such inhibitors of ALDH experience mild to severe discomfort if they ingest alcohol.

In fact, patient compliance is a significant problem with these types of therapies.

Although disulfiram has been available in the United States for many decades, patients frequently have difficulty complying with disulfiram treatment therapies.

One reason for poor compliance is the lack of motivation for the patient to continue to take disulfiram, that is, other than self-motivation (i.e., there is no positive reinforcement for