I read about all the different types of medicines people take. What is the difference between them? The book speaks of Topomax but most of this site speak of others being used, Im confused why? Will doctor's not prescribe Topomax?
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Also where can I find a doctor that will prescribe this type of medicine for me? -
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Depends on where you live (in regards to how/process of getting prescribed medication)...
Topiramate- (brand name Topamax) is an older anticonvulsant & mood stabilizer. Like most older medications which there's no money to be made by big PHRMA (at least here in the US)... the pharmacology isn't understood as thoroughly as say, benzodiazepines (valium, xanax, etc) or the newer similar "Z-drugs" like Ambien.
But it is known that topiramate causes agonism at GABA-A receptors (same area of the brain alcohol, benzos, & barbiturates act on)--although activity at which specific GABA-A sub-type receptors are not known. Also, similar to alcohol, barbiturates & some muscle relaxants (like Soma/carisoprodol; or older drugs like meprobamate which are no longer prescribed), topiramate acts as an antagonist (or BLOCKS) glutamate receptors (which is usually stimulatory if it is ACTIVATED)... However, my knowledge on topiramate is merely from my college experience as a pre-pharm major; i've never used the drug, although I use a barbiturate which is theoretically similar in action to topiramate, but who knows for sure?
Baclofen- this drug is a GABA-b receptor agonist, which is similar to GHB (although not nearly as recreational nor intoxicating as GHB & other related GHB analogs like GVL or GBL).. baclofen's mechanism of action is really unknown in assisting alcoholism and/or reducing self-medication or intake of other GABAergic drugs (which is my current situation)... for the same reasons I mentioned above- its generic, no money to be made in spending money by private pharmaceutical companies by using pharmacological studies and/or double blind studies.
Naltrexone- this is actually an OPIOID antagonist (meaning, it's usually used to block the effects of opiates & opioids, particularly in long-term heroin addicts who are recovering addicts- also my situation; but i've never used naltrexone).. but its also effective in reducing alcohol use; although Baclofen is, at least in my opinion, the most effective in reducing self administration of alcohol or other GABA drugs.
Acamprosate- (brand name, Campral).. this drug is mainly used to stop & reduce excitotoxicity (i.e., brain damage) from alcohol withdrawal--because if one slowly titrates his or her alcohol use down very slowly, this sort of neuro-death (AGAIN- in english: brain damage) due to OVER stimulation of certain receptors, particularly glutamate & secondary glutamate interactions. Understanding its efficacy & pharmacology is a problem, it is an issue similar to the medications above, there's not much money to be made by big business- so there is less known about it's pharmacology. Although, it is thought to have an additional effect as a minor GABA-a agonist (again- like alcohol, benzos, & barbiturates).. although at typically prescribed doses, this effect is negligible.
Antabuse- ("Antabuse" is the name brand); this drug is known to interact with liver metabolism, affecting the exact same liver enzymes as alcohol does. The end result is making you sick if you use alcohol at higher doses. This is really the only reason for its use- similar to naltrexone, its really only meant to STOP a relapse once abstinence/recovery/sobriety occurs.
Anyway- if you have any other questions, i'd be more than happy to respond to any questions; but please also try to use the search function here, so you get more information on these drugs... also; again, speak up if you need me to explain this more simply since I tend to be overly thorough/complex...
Also- post again if you'd like any personal experiences from other members on this board.Comment
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MusiciansMallet, again you provide great info, thanks for that. The only thing I can add here is if you use the Sinclair Method, naltrexone doesn`t have to be similar to Antabuse in any way, i.e. you use it while you are drinking. In fact that`s how I controlled my alcohol problem.MusiciansMallet;1347164 wrote:
Antabuse- ("Antabuse" is the name brand); this drug is known to interact with liver metabolism, affecting the exact same liver enzymes as alcohol does. The end result is making you sick if you use alcohol at higher doses. This is really the only reason for its use- similar to naltrexone, its really only meant to STOP a relapse once abstinence/recovery/sobriety occurs.Comment
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Your knowledge is impressive to say the least and I appreciate your sharing of it. I am still trying to make sense of it all since I do not have your background. I am taking the Topiramate and have bought it trough the on-line pharmacy but would like to find a Dr. to get a script from but am not sure how to go about find ing one. I also wonder if I am not substituing one vise for another and wonder if anyone else also feels like that. Another question I am wondering about is what happens if you increase your dosage too quickly?Comment
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Don't know much about topa but your doc might work with you on that.
Naltrexone and Campral also are usually easy to go with. Doc's tend to be fine with those.
Baclofen, good luck betting over 80 mg but you can try. There are other ways to get that if need be.Comment
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Hi, Rutru and welcome to the forum. I've been trying to decipher your name. I came up with R U TRU(E)? RUT RU? :H It's like the license plate game... (Hope you know it?)
Anyway! The things that Musician's Mallet (MM) knows about medications are pretty astounding. I read what he wrote, and I know a lot of it already, and I am still a little confused!
If what you are asking is what medicine you should take, that is a question only you can answer. They each work on different areas (sort of) in the brain. None of them that have been studied well are particularly effective. That doesn't mean that they won't work for you, though. Who they work for, and why, is almost as much of a mystery as how they work. I have seen people (here) use each of the ones MM listed to get and stay sober.
Each of them has side effects, too. Some long term, some short term. Some with pretty serious consequences, and others not so much. (An example is antabuse. If you have liver disease, or any kind of liver problems, it can really make it worse. If you drink when you take it, you can have some really serious consequences, too. And you'll get really, really, really sick. It might interact with other things that have alcohol in them, like vinegar or perfume. All of these things are so rare, though, that it's unlikely to happen. Still, one must weigh the risks of anything, right?)
Topiramate (topa) is one of the older ones. It shouldn't be that hard, actually, to find a psychiatrist (any addiction specialist) who is willing to prescribe it. I'm guessing that you're in the US since in Europe they don't really get to choose a doctor. If you're elsewhere, finding a doctor is a bit different, but still doable. You may find that a doc has a preference for one medication over another, and for that reason won't prescribe topa. But I'd be surprised if you're already taking it and it's working for you.
The reasons it isn't a primary medication that people discuss here are many. What I mentioned above, the fact that it isn't as effective as we would like, is one. I suspect that the fact that many of us have turned to baclofen, and the fact that information about baclofen is VERY hard to find anywhere but here, is another.
I don't really know much about the medications (other than baclofen) from personal use. You can find support on the topa thread. I'm sorry I can't link it, I'm having internet issues this morning! But someone will.
Or if not, you can look, it's usually near the top of the board. They will also know the consequences of taking too much, or rather, taking more than what you are taking now.
Good luck. Hang in there! And Don't Stop!!!
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https://www.mywayout.org/community/f2...ion-44427.html
Internet connection is cooperating!
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RUTRU, my name, is simply a blend of my two horses. It is to remind me of one of the reasons of why I am one this journey. I can't ride safely drunk. If I ride unsafely I may take myself away from my children and my husband. My mother took herself away from me, I was 25 and a young mother and I have missed her every day. I am trying to choose not to do that to my children. That being said, I am 52, my oldest is 26 so I should have started this long ago. I don't know if I will abstain or will control my drinking but I have been AF for a week know. This site is so very helpful. I thought there weren't many like me, now I know that's not true.Comment
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1 week shows you have the willpower!Comment
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