Medication that can help you stop or cut down
Several medicines can make stopping or cutting down easier. None of them is a cure on its own, and all of them need a doctor's prescription and support.
Talk to your GP
This page is a general guide to help you have a conversation with your GP. It isn't a list of instructions. Don't start, stop or change any medicine without talking to your GP, pharmacist or alcohol service.
Way 18 of 50Ask about medication
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends these medicines for alcohol problems in the UK. They work best alongside counselling or other support.
| Medicine | What it does | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Acamprosate (Campral) | Reduces cravings and helps you stay alcohol-free after stopping. | Usually started as you stop drinking and taken for up to 6 months. |
| Naltrexone | Reduces cravings and the pleasure from drinking, to help prevent relapse. | Usually taken for up to 6 months, sometimes longer. It stops opioid painkillers such as codeine and morphine from working, so tell any doctor or dentist you're taking it. |
| Nalmefene (Selincro) | Helps you drink less, rather than stop completely. | Only for people who are drinking heavily but have no withdrawal symptoms, and always with ongoing support. |
| Disulfiram (Antabuse) | Makes you feel very ill if you drink, to help you stay alcohol-free. | Only for people committed to stopping completely. You'll have regular check-ups. The reaction can still happen for a week or more after your last tablet, and can be triggered by hidden alcohol in some mouthwashes, foods and toiletries. |
Medicines used during detox itself, such as chlordiazepoxide, are covered on the detox page.
You may have heard of clomethiazole (Heminevrin). It's rarely used for alcohol withdrawal outside hospital now, because it's dangerous if combined with alcohol.
Not every medicine suits everyone. Some aren't suitable if you have liver or kidney problems, are pregnant, or take certain other medicines. Your doctor will check.
Try this todayBefore your GP appointment, write down how much you drink each day, any medicines you take, and ask: “Is there a medicine that could help me?”
Way 24 of 50Check how alcohol mixes with your medicines
Alcohol interacts with many medicines. It can make them stronger, weaker or more dangerous. Some common examples:
- Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, sleeping tablets and strong painkillers: alcohol can make you much drowsier, affect your coordination and breathing, and make falls and accidents more likely.
- Some antibiotics, such as metronidazole, react badly with alcohol.
- Warfarin and other blood thinners, epilepsy medicines, diabetes medicines and many antihistamines can all be affected.
Drinking can also stop some medicines, including antidepressants, from working properly, and heavy drinking itself can cause low mood and anxiety.
Always read the leaflet that comes with your medicine, and ask your pharmacist. They can tell you exactly whether it's safe to drink with what you take.
Way 19 of 50Be careful with herbal remedies
Some people try herbal products. The evidence for most of them is weak, and "natural" doesn't mean safe.
- Milk thistle is often sold for liver health, but it won't repair liver damage or make heavy drinking safe.
- Kudzu root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and studied for reducing drinking, but there isn't good evidence it helps people stay off alcohol.
- Valerian is sometimes used for sleep and relaxation. It can add to the drowsiness of alcohol and other sedatives.
- St John's wort is used for low mood, but it interacts with many medicines, including antidepressants, the contraceptive pill, blood thinners and epilepsy treatments. Don't take it without checking with a pharmacist.
Tell your GP or pharmacist about any herbal remedy you take.
Way 20 of 50Know what complementary therapies can and can't do
Ear acupuncture (auricular acupuncture) is offered by some drug and alcohol services. Five fine needles are placed in the outer ear while you relax for half an hour or so. Some people find it calming and helpful with cravings and sleep. Research evidence that it reduces drinking is mixed, so think of it as an extra, not a treatment on its own.
Hypnotherapy has some support for stopping smoking, but there's no good evidence that it works for alcohol dependence.