The exploration of pioglitazone’s potential as a pharmacotherapy option for drug addiction

Abstract

Pioglitazone is a selective agonist for peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor gamma (PPARγ) that is currently used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, recent evidence suggests that the PPARγ pathway may be a promising novel target for drug addiction therapy. There has been considerable evidence with preclinical models of addiction that support pioglitazone’s therapeutic potential for opioid, alcohol, methamphetamine, and cocaine dependence. Although the precise mechanisms remain unclear, these preclinical studies suggest that pioglitazone blocks the excitation of ventral tegmental area dopamine signaling, which is associated with the addictive properties of abused drugs. Recently, clinical studies have also emerged to investigate the role of pioglitazone for drug addiction in humans. Clinical evidence supports preclinical findings that pioglitazone may indeed be beneficial for the treatment of cocaine dependence. Other clinical evidence suggests that pioglitazone may also be effective for nicotine addiction. Further clinical research is needed to investigate pioglitazone’s effects in opioid, alcohol, and methamphetamine addiction. Pioglitazone also has a favourable and safe profile. These findings suggest that pioglitazone may be a novel treatment option for drug dependence in the future. Due to its status as a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration, there is a potential for accelerated establishment of pioglitazone as an addiction treatment method.