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A NEW TREATMENT for heavy drinkers that claims to reduce alcohol consumption by 61% is now available in Ireland.
Called Selincro, it’s aimed at alcohol-dependent patients, and its makers saw a 61% reduction in alcohol consumption after six months of treatment in suitable patients.
It’s aimed at reducing alcohol consumption (rather than total abstinence) in patients who have a high drinking risk level – and who don’t need immediate detoxification.
Patients take one tablet each day that they think they might drink alcohol.
It doesn’t prevent the intoxicating effects of alcohol, and it costs €100 for 28 tablets or €50 for 14 tablets.
In the UK, it is going to be funded by the NHS. Here, it is available through the HSE.
Support
Selincro is the first product in Europe to be granted a licence for alcohol reduction. Previous treatments were licensed for the maintenance of abstinence.
GPs can prescribe Selincro, and they will also provide the patients with “ongoing psychosocial support to help them to comply with the treatment and to motivate them to reduce their drinking”.
Until now, treatment of alcohol dependence has largely been reliant on total abstinence. The makers of Selincro said that the treatment plus psychosocial support is effective in reducing alcohol consumption in patients with a high drinking risk level by 61% after six months of treatment.
In the clinical trials, the average reduction corresponded to nearly three pints per drinking day.
Not for all heavy drinkers
But it’s not for everyone with alcohol problems – patients “who have physical withdrawal symptoms, require immediate detoxification, or have a treatment goal of abstinence” are not suitable for Selincro treatment.
In a fictional example of the kind of person who might take it, the drug manufacturers identify a 39-year-old woman who “looks forward to a glass of wine after work when the kids go to bed but always finishes the bottle while cooking and eating with her husband, and opens a second bottle a few days each week”.
Dr Garrett McGovern, a Dublin-based GP who specialises in the area of addiction, said that every day, two people in Ireland die from alcohol dependence.
[A]ccording to the Health Research Board National Diary Survey published in 2014 approximately 175,000 people in Ireland are alcohol dependent.
Professor Jonathan Chick from Castle Craig Hospital in Edinburgh was an Investigator in the Selincro clinical studies and is in Ireland to present to Irish GPs.
He said:
Some people find it very difficult to change their drinking pattern, even though they realise it’s harming themselves and perhaps others. No single approach is effective for all such people. Selincro is a helpful addition to the range of treatments we can offer.
The makers of Selincro said that anyone who is concerned about their drinking and the impact that it is having on their health should speak to their doctor.
What do you think of this new treatment? Tell us in the comments.
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This is new and it works. If you know anyone whose life is being destroyed by alcohol then this could make a difference. One of my patients has gone from being a daily drinker to having one drink in six weeks.
Hi Conor, this sounds promising and anything which can help alcoholics is a very welcome addition to the current medical toolbox..I just took a look at the side effects and there are many which are common and very common. What is your opinion on this? Have you seen many patients taking this drug?
Hi Karen,
I have had four people on this drug. Two did not come back for another prescription after the first month and two have remained on it. Of the two still taking the drug they have not reported any side effects. I have been told however that nausea is a common side effect.
Thanks Conor, I know what alcohol can do to families so I am delighted to see developments in the area
Nalmefene (trade name Selincro), originally known as nalmetrene, is an opioid receptor antagonist developed in the early 1970s
Not exactly new, is it…??
You’re wrong there Francie. It’s similar but not the same thing. A small change from a chemistry standpoint can complete change a compound and it’s action, interactions etc.
Hi Francie,
That is correct. I’m not sure how or when its effect on alcohol consumption was discovered but it is new in the sense that it has a licence in Ireland for treating alcohol addiction.
I apologise, it is me who is wrong! I was thinking of another drug, naltrexone, which was developed in the 90′s and is similar to but not the same as nalmefene. Sorry about that
A member of my family was on this drug many years ago, – I suppose that’s why I was puzzled by the ‘new’ – thanks for clarifying Doc.
I feel as if the HSE should fund this as have the NHS is currently funding it.
The reality is that it would be an investment because the cost of care for people with a dependency on alcohol is massive (liver transplants, cancer etc). If this was to reduce dependency by 61% the impact on the overall cost on the HSE would be substantial.
Just wait for the Vintners Federation to start lobbying against this drug now.
I’m sure they will come up with some reason.
According to the article, it will be available through the HSE from January
€200 for 56 tablets too?
2 good night’s out
Don’t worry. There’s bound to be a street version soon.
Why does article not explain how drug works or what effect it has on your drinking??
If you go out take pill why will you drink less? Does it make you feel less intoxicated ?
Article explains nothing about drug itself
Thats what Googles for!
Her John- http://bit.ly/1EQ5aVO
Drug companies wanting to make more money. Anyone who is motivated enough to comply with taking these pills is likely motivated enough to abstain with support of groups like AA. Pills will never replace hard work – just look at diet pills. I am very sceptical about the need for this.
I don’t know what your car breaking down has got to do with it?
Very clever. Sarcasm however is the lowest form of wit. Often used by those who want to cover up their own fears. So let me ask you;
1- has anyone ever expressed concern at your drinking?
2- do you ever drink alone?
3- do you ever feel guilty about your drinking?
4- have you ever had a drink as an eye-opener, or in the morning?
A yes to any of these, and you may benefit from attending AA. And you can even bring your car if you want.
@Michael that is a stupid and dangerous comment to make. Next thing you will be telling me reiki and homeopathic remedies are reall and effective. If ywant to kill yourself with stupidity please keep it to yourself.
Replace dependency on drink with dependency on drugs. Feckin brilliant.
Naltrexone is not an addictive drug, it’s aim is to stop addiction. you might want to read up on it a bit before making a comment like that.
Keith is right but that won’t happen here as the golden rule in this country must be applied rather than logic, fleece people at each and every opportunity.
Holland and Barrett were selling the herb in tablet form that had the very same effects, probably just pharmaceutically made it and patented it and then sold it???
Ecstasy :-)
I find that the best drug to halt my alcohol intake is alcohol – Its self-limiting in 24 hour windows…..
I’ve a hundred Euro do I go and get pissed or do I go and get high decisions decisions
Naltrexone doesn’t make you high or low it controls the urge to drink.
Clearly you are not aware of the destruction that can be caused by alcohol and there is no place for your comments on this article
The main problem with this drug is that although it may work well for those who are willing to admit they have a problem with drink, and lot of people who have a drink problem won’t admit to it. That said aa or other treatments only work when people are willing to accept they have a problem.
Thistle Milk tincture or tablets
can achieve the same result
at one tenth of the cost AND
no side effects except in many
cases liver repair
have your say