Definition
Alcoholic steatosis is a particular form of hepatic steatosis (also known as "fatty liver"), due to excessive alcohol consumption. In fact, this pathology is found in 60-100% of heavy drinkers.
Fortunately, alcoholic steatosis is a reversible disorder.
Causes
Alcoholic steatosis is caused by the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver cells, caused by excessive and out of control alcohol consumption.
In addition, other factors can be added to promote the accumulation of triglycerides in the liver, such as, for example, obesity and a high-calorie and hyperlipidic diet.
Symptoms
The accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes causes an increase in volume of the same liver, therefore, causes hepatomegaly. Hepatomegaly, then, can give rise to signs of suffering from functional overload, such as pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant, nausea and elevation of blood levels of liver transaminases.
In some cases - although rarely - alcoholic steatosis is associated with signs of cholestasis, which can be caused by the presence of gall bladder stones. This condition, in turn, can lead to the development of jaundice.
Finally, if not properly treated, alcoholic steatosis can become complicated in alcoholic hepatitis.
Information on alcoholic steatosis - drugs for the treatment of alcoholic steatosis is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking alcoholic steatosis - drugs for the treatment of alcoholic steatosis.
drugs
Alcoholic steatosis, fortunately, is a reversible process that can be resolved by ending the abuse of alcohol that caused its development. It therefore appears clear that alcohol withdrawal is the main therapeutic approach for the treatment of alcoholic steatosis.
However, especially in alcoholics, it is not always so simple to say enough to alcohol, because in these individuals a real addiction is established which, often, cannot be countered with the simple willpower.
At this point, therefore, the doctor may decide to prescribe drugs for the treatment of alcoholism, which can be accompanied by an adequate psychological support therapy.
In the cases in which at the base of alcoholic steatosis there is not only the excessive consumption of alcohol, but also factors such as obesity and a high-calorie and hyperlipidic diet, then the doctor can decide to intervene prescribing pharmacological treatments also for this type of disorders.
Moreover, when hepatic steatosis is associated with cholestasis due to the presence of stones in the gall bladder, the doctor can resort to the use of solubilizing drugs to dissolve the aforementioned calculations.
In any case, the patient suffering from alcoholic steatosis will have to adopt a healthy lifestyle accompanied by a diet rich in vitamins and "lean" proteins.
Disulfiram
Disulfiram (Etiltox ®, Antabuse Dispergettes ®) is an adjunct in the treatment of alcoholism. In fact, disulfiram does not cure alcoholism itself, but affects the metabolic degradation of alcohol within the body.
Through this interference, disulfiram is able to trigger unpleasant adverse effects in the alcohol abuse patient, such as headaches, nausea, dyspnea, palpitations and vomiting. This should induce the individual to stop consuming the same alcohol.
Usually, during the first 3-4 days of treatment, a dose of disulfiram is administered equal to 800-1, 200 mg per day, to be taken orally. When released, the dose is decreased to 200-400 mg a day, to be taken for a period not exceeding five months.
It should be remembered that disulfiram therapy can only be started in patients who have not taken alcohol for at least 24 hours.
Naltrexone
Naltrexone (Nalorex ®) is an opioid receptor antagonist used in the alcohol cessation program. More in detail, this active ingredient is used to prevent recurrences and favor abstinence from alcohol.
Naltrexone is available both for parenteral administration and for oral administration. When administered via this last route, the generally used drug dose is 50 mg a day. The duration of treatment may vary from one patient to another, therefore, it will be established by the doctor on an individual basis.
Orlistat
Orlistat (Alli ®, Xenical ®) is an active ingredient with specific indications for the treatment of obesity and overweight. Therefore, its use is reserved for those patients in whom alcoholic steatosis is not only caused by excessive alcohol consumption, but is also favored by a concomitant obesity.
It is a drug available for oral administration. The dose of orlistat usually used is 60-120 mg of active ingredient, to be taken three times a day just before, during, or immediately after a meal containing lipids.
Ursodeoxycholic acid
Ursodeoxycholic acid (Deursil ®, Ursobil ®) is an active ingredient used to solubilize gallbladder stones. This drug, therefore, can be prescribed when alcoholic steatosis is associated with signs of cholestasis caused by the presence of gall bladder stones, in fact.
Ursodeoxycholic acid is available for oral administration. The usual dose of drug is 5-10 mg / kg of body weight, to be taken in 2-3 divided doses.
