Hundreds of thousands of drinkers in the UK who indulge in more than half a bottle of wine or three pints a night are to be offered a pill to reduce their intake.
The recommendations come in a final draft guidance by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
According to NICE, almost 600,000 people are likely to be eligible for treatment with nalmefene (also known as Selincro). Trials on the drug showed that it cut drink intake by 61% over a period of six months if used in conjunction with counselling.
The drug, which costs £3 per tablet, is taken once a day on an ‘as needed’ basis. People will take it when they feel a craving for more than one drink. It is reported to reduce the release of dopamine in the brain, thus lessening the enjoyment that drinkers get from consuming alcohol.
However, those who can cut their intake on their own and more heavy drinkers will not be eligible for the drug, which is already used in Scotland.
“Although for many people dependant on alcohol, abstinence is the preferred and optimal goal, nalmefene represents an alternative step,” said Professor Jonathan Chick. “This may help us to engage many alcohol dependent patients that we know are not currently receiving help.”
The drug will be prescribed on the level of consumption by patients on a daily basis.
“We are pleased to be able to recommend the use of nalmefene to support people further in their efforts to fight alcohol dependence,” said Professor Carole Longson.
Scotland was the first Europen country to prescribe the drug last October. Over a six-month period, men who normally drank eight units (three to four pints) per day and women who drank six units (half a bottle of wine or so) per day cut those amounts by more than half.
Final guidance on the use of the drug is expected to be published in November.
