Taurine
| Evidence Level: L4 | Predicted Indications: 10 |
Table of Contents
Taurine: From Parenteral Nutrition Component to Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium
One-Sentence Summary
Taurine is an amino acid that appears in the South African parenteral nutrition products Numeta and SmofKabiven, so its original use is nutritional support. The SAHPRA indication text for these products is not listed in the data provided. The TxGNN model predicts it may be useful for alcohol withdrawal delirium, but 1 clinical trial and 7 publications were retrieved and none tests taurine itself for this condition.
Quick Overview
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Original Indication | Parenteral nutrition (inferred from the registered products; no indication text listed) |
| Predicted New Indication | Alcohol withdrawal delirium |
| TxGNN Prediction Score | 93.07% |
| Evidence Level | L4 |
| South Africa Market Status | Marketed |
| Number of SAHPRA Registrations | 4 |
| Recommended Decision | Hold |
Why is This Prediction Reasonable?
Detailed mechanism of action data is not available in the record. Taurine is known to act as an inhibitory neuromodulator. It activates GABA-A and glycine receptors, and it modulates glutamate-driven excitotoxicity and calcium balance.
Alcohol withdrawal is characterised by too little GABA inhibition and too much glutamate excitation. This gives the prediction a plausible, purely theoretical mechanistic link.
Most of the retrieved literature concerns acamprosate, a structural analogue of taurine (N-acetylhomotaurine) used in alcohol dependence. This is indirect evidence. It does not show that taurine works.
Clinical Trial Evidence
| Trial Number | Phase | Status | Enrollment | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCT00855699 | Phase 4 | Completed | 36 | Feasibility study of two drug regimens for alcohol detoxification in UK primary care. No taurine arm is evident, so it does not support the taurine link (relevance grade C). |
No SANCTR or PACTR registrations were identified.
Literature Evidence
| PMID | Year | Type | Journal | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2085344 | 1990 | Double-blind RCT (acamprosate, indirect) | Alcohol Alcohol | Acamprosate reduced relapse markers in 569 weaned alcoholics. This tested the taurine analogue, not taurine. |
| 26314552 | 2016 | Review | Eur Addict Res | Women are under-represented in trials of approved alcohol dependence and withdrawal drugs. |
| 26394517 | 2015 | Review | Nihon Rinsho | Japanese practice favours antipsychotics over benzodiazepines for withdrawal delirium, and no substantial guidelines exist. |
| 8865961 | 1996 | Review | Alcohol Clin Exp Res | Overview of pharmacotherapies for alcohol problems, including withdrawal agents and anti-craving drugs. |
| 9411716 | 1997 | Review | Schweiz Med Wochenschr | Classifies drugs for alcohol dependence into withdrawal, aversive, comorbidity and anti-craving groups. |
| 18281128 | 2008 | Review | Rev Med Interne | General review of alcohol dependence diagnosis and treatment. |
| 14679678 | 2003 | Retrospective study | Therapie | Adverse effects of acamprosate can lead to treatment discontinuation. |
South Africa Market Information
| Registration Number | Product Name | Dosage Form | Approved Indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reg. No. 52/25/0739 | Numeta G13E | Infusion | Not listed in the data provided |
| Reg. No. 52/25/0740 | Numeta G16E | Infusion | Not listed in the data provided |
| Reg. No. 46/32.2/0518 | SmofKabiven | Infusion | Not listed in the data provided |
| Reg. No. 47/32.2/0036 | SmofKabiven Peripheral | Infusion | Not listed in the data provided |
All four registrations are infusion products, not oral formulations. Essential Medicines List (EML) status was not available in the data.
Safety Considerations
Please refer to the SAHPRA-approved Professional Information (PI) for safety information. Report adverse drug reactions to SAHPRA.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Decision: Hold
Rationale: The 93.07% TxGNN score is a model prediction only. No retrieved study tests taurine in alcohol withdrawal delirium. The literature is indirect (acamprosate) or generic, and the single trial has no taurine arm. All registered South African products are intravenous nutrition formulations, so a route and formulation for this use are also unresolved.
To proceed, the following is needed:
- SAHPRA Professional Information for the four registered products (warnings and contraindications), which is currently a blocking gap
- Mechanism of action data from DrugBank
- Direct preclinical or clinical evidence for taurine itself in alcohol withdrawal
- A route and formulation assessment, since only infusion products are registered
- Comparison against the established standard of care for withdrawal delirium
Other predictions: Migraine disorder (score 89.20%) has the most literature of the other predictions (L4, “Research Question”). It consists of observational studies of altered taurine levels and one magnesium taurate plus fish oil combination paper. It is not evidence of benefit from taurine alone. The remaining predictions (barbiturate, hallucinogen, antidepressant-type and phencyclidine abuse, cauda equina syndrome, migraine with brainstem aura, restless legs syndrome and obsolete neurogenic bladder) have no supporting trial or treatment evidence and stay on Hold.
This report is for research reference only and does not constitute medical advice. Repurposing candidates require clinical validation before any use.
Disclaimer
This content is for research purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical validation is required before any clinical application.