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acamprosate
Used for Alcohol Dependence
Used for Alcohol Dependence
Acamprosate is a first-choice medication used to treat alcohol use disorder in adults who've already stopped drinking. It's a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor modulator that works by balancing chemicals in the brain to minimize the desire to drink. Acamprosate is taken by mouth, typically three times a day. Some common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, trouble sleeping, and nervousness. Brand name Campral has been discontinued; acamprosate is only available as a generic.
What is Acamprosate?
What is Acamprosate used for?
- Maintain abstinence from alcohol in alcohol use disorder
How Acamprosate works
Acamprosate is a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor modulator. The exact way it works isn't well-understood. But it's thought to lower alcohol cravings by balancing certain chemicals in the brain, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Campral |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | NMDA receptor modulator |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Acamprosate essentials
Side effects of Acamprosate
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea (16%)
- Trouble sleeping (7%)
- Nervousness or anxiety (6%)
- Physical weakness or lack of energy (6%)
- Depression (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Gas
- Dry mouth
- Itchiness
- Sweating
- Accidental injury
Acamprosate serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior
More on Acamprosate side effects
The following Acamprosate side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Symptoms of Overdose
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Abdominal pain
confusion
headache
incoherent speech
increased urination
metallic taste
muscle weakness
thirst
unusual tiredness
vomiting
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More Common
Discouragement
feeling sad
irritability
lack of appetite
lack or loss of strength
loss of interest or pleasure
nervousness
tiredness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$271.07
GoodRx discount
$68.17
Pros and cons of Acamprosate
Pros
- A first-choice treatment option for alcohol use disorder
- Possible option for people with liver problems
- Available as a lower-cost generic
- Not many known interactions with other medications
Cons
- Taken three times a day
- Won't treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
- Possible risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Not a good option for people with severe kidney problems
Pharmacist tips for Acamprosate
- Typically, acamprosate is taken by mouth three times a day. You can take this medication with or without food. But if you eat three meals a day, taking it with your meals can help you remember to take it.
- Discuss with your healthcare team what your treatment for alcohol use disorder looks like. Typically, acamprosate is prescribed as a part of a holistic treatment plan that also involves support groups and therapy.
- You can continue taking acamprosate if you relapse and have a drink. Let your healthcare team know about what happened so they can help you prevent future relapses by identifying and avoiding triggers.
- Let your healthcare team know if you experience symptoms of alcohol withdrawal like tremors, trouble sleeping, and anxiety. Acamprosate isn't likely to ease symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and you might need more medical attention.
- Tell your prescriber if you become pregnant or are breastfeeding during treatment with acamprosate. There isn't enough information to know whether this medication causes harm to babies. But it's important that you continue to get help for alcohol use disorder during pregnancy and while you're nursing. Your healthcare team can talk with you about possible options.
More on Acamprosate tips
Risks and warnings for Acamprosate
Acamprosate can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Though not common, people who took acamprosate in clinical studies had higher rates of suicidal thoughts and behavior than those treated with placebo. People who experienced suicidal ideations and thoughts of self-harm often did so during alcohol relapse. It's important that you work closely with members of your care team throughout your alcohol recovery process. Report signs of worsening mood or thoughts of self-harm. Tell your loved ones and family members to watch for changes in your behavior. They should report unusual behavior to your prescriber if appropriate.
Kidney problems
Your kidneys are responsible for clearing acamprosate from your body. The medication can build up in your body if your kidneys aren't working well. People who have mild kidney problems might be instructed to take half of the usual recommended dose. People with severe kidney problems shouldn't use acamprosate.
Might not help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Research suggests acamprosate might not help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This medication is meant to be started after you've already quit drinking alcohol and have gone through the initial alcohol withdrawal phase. But you can continue treatment with acamprosate if you've had a relapse. Check in regularly with your healthcare team so they can provide you with the support and resources needed to maintain recovery.
Acamprosate dosage
The average cost for 180 tablets of 333mg of Acamprosate is $68.17 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 74.85% off the average retail price of $271.07. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 333mg | 180 tablets | $68.17 | $0.38 |
Typical dosage for Acamprosate
Each tablet contains 333 mg of acamprosate.
Adults: The typical dose is 2 tablets by mouth three times a day. Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.
More on Acamprosate dosage
Interactions between Acamprosate and other drugs
Acamprosate may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Acamprosate. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Acamprosate interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does Acamprosate cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Acamprosate (generic)
$68.17
Acamprosate contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Acamprosate will not be safe for you to take.
- Severe kidney problems
What are alternatives to Acamprosate?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Acamprosate. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Acamprosate
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What Is Medication-Assisted Treatment? How Taking Medication for Substance Use Disorders Can Help
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6 Common Questions About Acamprosate Interactions
Acamprosate doesn’t have known drug interactions. Pharmacists answer your questions about whether you can take it with other alcohol use disorder medications.
Acamprosate Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide
The recommended acamprosate dosage for alcohol use disorder is 666 mg three times a day. Get acamprosate dosage adjustments and specific instructions here.
How Long Does Acamprosate Take to Work? Pharmacists Answer 6 FAQs
Acamprosate is a medication that treats alcohol use disorder. Find answers to acamprosate FAQs, including how long it takes to work.
Can You Take Acamprosate During Pregnancy?
There’s not a lot of research on taking acamprosate during pregnancy. It’s typically only recommended if the possible benefits outweigh the risk. Read more here.
4 Acamprosate Side Effects You Should Know About
If you’re managing alcohol dependence with Acamprosate, be aware of these 4 potential side effects.
Acamprosate vs. Disulfiram for Alcohol Use Disorder: 5 Differences You Need to Know
Acamprosate and disulfiram both help treat alcohol use disorder. However, these medications work in different ways and have different side effects.
Acamprosate vs. Naltrexone for Alcohol Use Disorder: 5 Differences You Need to Know About
Acamprosate and naltrexone both treat alcohol use disorder. But there are some differences in terms of side effects and the effectiveness of these medications.
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