Acamprosate Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol use disorder (AUD), understanding the available treatment options can be empowering. Both therapy and medications are effective, and they’re considered even more effective when they’re combined. 

Medications, such as acamprosate, are first-choice treatment options for AUD. And knowing typical dosages, possible side effects, and potential interactions can help you get the most out of your medication. Here, we’ll cover the recommended acamprosate dosages and a few tips for how to take it.

What’s the typical acamprosate dosage for adults?

The typical acamprosate dosage for AUD is two tablets taken three times daily. 

Each tablet is 333 mg. So each dose is 666 mg (2 tablets). However, some people may do better with a lower dose. The goal is to use the lowest acamprosate dosage that’s still effective. You and your prescriber can work together to determine what’s best.

Acamprosate can be taken with or without food. But taking it with meals can help you remember to take it daily. Taking it with food can also help with nausea, a possible side effect of acamprosate.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Comparing medications for alcohol use disorder: Acamprosate and naltrexone (Vivitrol) are two first-choice medications for alcohol use disorder. But there are several differences between them.

• Understanding acamprosate side effects: Like all medications, acamprosate has risks. This includes gastrointestinal side effects and more. 

• Combining therapy and medications: The best alcohol use disorder treatment often combines therapy and medications. Learn more about this approach and why it can improve your chances of quitting.

When should you start taking acamprosate?

You’ll usually start taking acamprosate soon after you’ve stopped drinking alcohol. Some research indicates that starting acamprosate too soon after quitting drinking — and while you’re experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms — isn’t helpful. So it may be best to start after you’ve gone through the initial alcohol withdrawal phase.

Talk with your prescriber about the optimal time to start acamprosate. And make a plan for managing alcohol withdrawal. There are several medications that can help with symptoms of withdrawal, like nausea, restlessness, and headache. In some cases, you may be able to manage it at home. In other cases, you may need treatment in a hospital.

Can you continue taking acamprosate if you relapse to alcohol? 

In most cases, you can continue acamprosate treatment even if you return to drinking alcohol (relapse). This is because alcohol and acamprosate aren’t known to interact, so having both of them in your body at the same time doesn’t increase your risk of harm. However, drinking alcohol, especially in excess, is harmful.

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Relapsing is part of many people’s recovery. If you start drinking again while taking acamprosate, contact your prescriber immediately while continuing to take the medication. Your prescriber can help you find additional recovery tools, like support groups and therapy. They can also talk to you about whether another AUD medication might be better for you, such as naltrexone (Vivitrol) or disulfiram.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

If you have existing kidney disease, you may need a different acamprosate dosage. This will depend on how severe your kidney damage is. In some cases, your dose may be lowered to one tablet (333 mg) three times a day (instead of the usual two tablets three times a day).

If you have severe kidney disease, acamprosate isn’t recommended. Another AUD medication is likely a better option for you.

What happens if you miss a dose of acamprosate?

If you forget to take a dose of acamprosate, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s close to your next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the dose you missed. Don’t take any extra doses of acamprosate to make up for a missed dose.

As mentioned above, taking acamprosate with meals can help you stick to your dosing schedule. You can also try using a pill box to organize your doses or use a medication reminder app.

What should you do if you take too much acamprosate?

Accidentally taking an extra dose of acamprosate is unlikely to cause serious problems. You may notice more side effects like nausea, diarrhea, and gas. 

However, taking a large amount of acamprosate can cause severe diarrhea. And taking large amounts over a long period of time can cause high calcium levels, leading to kidney and heart problems.

If you think you’ve taken too much acamprosate, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or call your prescriber immediately. They can help guide you on what to do next. If you have symptoms that feel severe, seek emergency care.

How to save on acamprosate

You may be able to save up to 80% off the average retail price of acamprosate with a free GoodRx discount. The price of generic acamprosate may be as low as $67.82 at certain pharmacies.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Soojin Jun, PharmD

Soojin has 10 years of experience in various pharmacy settings, from inpatient to outpatient settings, and population health in value-based healthcare models. She completed training in various areas of healthcare to ensure patient safety, from activism, geriatric pharmacy, medication safety, healthcare quality, patient safety, death and dying, and trauma-informed care.

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