In a groundbreaking study, French researchers have unveiled a potential game-changer in the battle against severe alcoholism. The innovative approach combines two readily available generic drugs - the antihistamine cyproheptadine and the blood pressure medication prazosin - demonstrating a significant reduction in daily drinking among individuals grappling with alcohol addiction.

Led by Henri-Jean Aubin from the Université Paris-Saclay in Villejuif, the research team embarked on this endeavor with the aim of addressing the limitations of current treatments for alcohol use disorder. Aubin highlighted the inadequacy of existing medications, describing them as offering only "limited-to-moderate" effectiveness, thereby emphasizing the urgency for alternative therapeutic options.

Published recently in the prestigious journal Addiction, the study enrolled 154 adults diagnosed with severe alcoholism, characterized by a daily alcohol consumption exceeding 60 grams for men or 40 grams for women - equivalent to approximately three to four drinks per day. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: receiving either placebo pills, a "low dose" combination of prazosin and cyproheptadine, or a "high dose" combination of the two drugs over a 12-week period.

Beyond medication, all participants received comprehensive support, including guidance on adhering to the prescribed drug regimen and strategies for reducing alcohol intake. Remarkably, the researchers adopted a pragmatic approach, focusing on reducing alcohol consumption rather than demanding total abstinence.

The results were striking. Participants administered the two-drug regimen exhibited a notable decrease in alcohol intake compared to those receiving the placebo, with the magnitude of reduction correlating with the dosage administered. For instance, individuals on the low-dose prazosin/cyproheptadine regimen experienced an average reduction of 18.4 grams in daily alcohol intake compared to the placebo group, while those on the high dose saw an even more substantial reduction of 23.6 grams.

Moreover, the efficacy of the drug combination was further underscored when tested among a subgroup of participants with particularly high alcohol consumption - surpassing 100 grams for men and 60 grams for women per day. In this cohort, the high-dose prazosin/cyproheptadine regimen resulted in a staggering daily alcohol intake reduction of nearly 30 grams, signaling a potential breakthrough in managing severe alcoholism.

Crucially, the researchers reported that the combination therapy was well-tolerated, with minimal adverse effects observed among participants.

Encouraged by these promising findings, the researchers advocate for advancing to phase 3 clinical trials to further explore the therapeutic potential of the prazosin and cyproheptadine combination. With its demonstrated efficacy and favorable safety profile, this novel approach holds immense promise in reshaping the landscape of alcohol addiction treatment, offering hope to countless individuals battling this debilitating disorder.