Nalmefene is recommended within its marketing authorisation in the UK, as an option for reducing alcohol consumption, for people with alcohol dependence:

• who have a high drinking risk level (defined as alcohol consumption of more than 60 g per day for men and more than 40 g per day for women, according to the World Health Organization's drinking risk levels) without physical withdrawal symptoms and
• who do not require immediate detoxification. The marketing authorisation states that nalmefene should:
  only be prescribed in conjunction with continuous psychosocial support focused on treatment adherence and reducing alcohol consumption and
• be initiated only in patients who continue to have a high drinking risk level 2 weeks after initial assessment.