A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence

Methamphetamine dependence is a growing problem in Australia and globally. Currently, there are no approved pharmacotherapy options for the management of methamphetamine dependence. N-acetylcysteine is one potential pharmacotherapy option. It has received growing attention as a therapy for managing...

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Main Authors: McKetin, Rebecca, Dean, O., Baker, A., Carter, G., Turner, A., Kelly, P., Berk, M.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56773
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author McKetin, Rebecca
Dean, O.
Baker, A.
Carter, G.
Turner, A.
Kelly, P.
Berk, M.
author_facet McKetin, Rebecca
Dean, O.
Baker, A.
Carter, G.
Turner, A.
Kelly, P.
Berk, M.
author_sort McKetin, Rebecca
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Methamphetamine dependence is a growing problem in Australia and globally. Currently, there are no approved pharmacotherapy options for the management of methamphetamine dependence. N-acetylcysteine is one potential pharmacotherapy option. It has received growing attention as a therapy for managing addictions because of its capacity to restore homeostasis to brain glutamate systems disrupted in addiction and thereby reduce craving and the risk of relapse. N-acetylcysteine also has antioxidant properties that protect against methamphetamine-induced toxicity and it may therefore assist in the management of the neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive effects of methamphetamine. This commentary overviews the actions of N-acetylcysteine and evidence for its efficacy in treating addiction with a particular focus on its potential utility for methamphetamine dependence. We conclude that the preliminary evidence indicates a need for full-scale trials to definitively establish whether N-acetylcysteine has a therapeutic benefit and the nature of this benefit, for managing methamphetamine dependence. [McKetin R, Dean O, Baker A. L, Carter G, Turner A, Kelly P. J, Berk M. A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-567732018-01-05T07:45:36Z A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence McKetin, Rebecca Dean, O. Baker, A. Carter, G. Turner, A. Kelly, P. Berk, M. Methamphetamine dependence is a growing problem in Australia and globally. Currently, there are no approved pharmacotherapy options for the management of methamphetamine dependence. N-acetylcysteine is one potential pharmacotherapy option. It has received growing attention as a therapy for managing addictions because of its capacity to restore homeostasis to brain glutamate systems disrupted in addiction and thereby reduce craving and the risk of relapse. N-acetylcysteine also has antioxidant properties that protect against methamphetamine-induced toxicity and it may therefore assist in the management of the neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive effects of methamphetamine. This commentary overviews the actions of N-acetylcysteine and evidence for its efficacy in treating addiction with a particular focus on its potential utility for methamphetamine dependence. We conclude that the preliminary evidence indicates a need for full-scale trials to definitively establish whether N-acetylcysteine has a therapeutic benefit and the nature of this benefit, for managing methamphetamine dependence. [McKetin R, Dean O, Baker A. L, Carter G, Turner A, Kelly P. J, Berk M. A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence. 2017 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56773 10.1111/dar.12414 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. restricted
spellingShingle McKetin, Rebecca
Dean, O.
Baker, A.
Carter, G.
Turner, A.
Kelly, P.
Berk, M.
A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence
title A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence
title_full A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence
title_fullStr A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence
title_full_unstemmed A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence
title_short A potential role for N-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence
title_sort potential role for n-acetylcysteine in the management of methamphetamine dependence
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/56773