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news.The UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved the use of nalmefene, a once-daily drug that reduces the urge to alcohol consumption.
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Also known as Selincro, nalmefene is designed to be prescribed as a once-daily tablet to people who drink alcohol regularly. The drug helps those people who want to stop drinking by cutting down the urge for alcohol.
NICE Health Technology Evaluation Centre director professor Carole Longson said: "Many people have a difficult relationship with alcohol even though they have a very stable lifestyle, maintain jobs and a social life and would not automatically assume they have a problem.
"But regularly drinking over the recommended daily amount of alcohol can seriously damage your health.
"Those who could be prescribed nalmefene have already taken the first big steps by visiting their doctor, engaging with support services and taking part in therapy programmes."
Around 1.2 million hospital admissions were registered due to an alcohol-related condition or injury in England in 2012/13.
According to NICE, the drug is recommended for men who drink more than 7.5 units per day and for women who drink five units a day.
As compared with placebo plus psychosocial support, nalmefene plus psychosocial support can reduce heavy drinking days by 3.2 days/month and reduce total alcohol consumption by 1.8 units/day.