Acamprosate for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Treatment
Acamprosate is a medication that may be used to help people who are undergoing alcohol addiction treatment.1 If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol misuse or alcohol use disorder (AUD), it can be helpful to understand your treatment options, which could include acamprosate.
Understanding what acamprosate is used for and how acamprosate works can help in making informed decisions during alcohol addiction treatment.
What Is Acamprosate?
Acamprosate may be prescribed to people as an aid in their recovery from alcohol misuse and addiction.2 It is a medication that has been extensively studied and used throughout the U.S. in people struggling with AUD.2
Generic acamprosate and the acamprosate brand name Campral first received FDA approval in 2004 for the treatment of alcohol dependence.2
Acamprosate is one of the three FDA-approved medications for AUD, which also includes naltrexone and disulfiram, and has obtained approval for the treatment of post-withdrawal maintenance of alcohol abstinence.1,3 Acamprosate is available as a delayed-release tablet that is taken three times per day, with or without food.2
What Is Acamprosate Used For?
Acamprosate may be used in the treatment of AUD to help people who have been abstinent from alcohol for at least 5 days (in most cases) so that they can continue to remain abstinent, reduce their risk of a return to alcohol use, and increase their length of abstinence.2,4
While this is the primary use for acamprosate, it can also safely be used by those who are still drinking alcohol or taking benzodiazepines.2,4
It is typically used as a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for AUD, usually appearing alongside behavioral therapies and counseling.1
While acamprosate does not help alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms, patients may begin acamprosate treatment during the withdrawal process.1,2
Acamprosate may be prescribed during various levels of addiction treatment, such as:
- Medical detox, which provides medication, medical supervision, and support to help people undergoing withdrawal so that they can remain as safe and comfortable as possible and achieve medical stability.9
- Inpatient rehab, which means living onsite at our facility, where people receive 24/7 care and attention, medication, and a variety of therapies.9
- Outpatient rehab, which means living at home but traveling to our facility to participate in treatment.9
Acamprosate Side Effects
Acamprosate may cause several side effects, but these generally tend to be mild and often subside quickly for most people.2
Acamprosate side effects most commonly include diarrhea, but other less common side effects are also possible.2 These may include:1,2
- Intestinal cramps.
- Intestinal gas.
- Headache.
- Insomnia.
- Anxiety.
- Nausea.
- Dizziness.
- Changes in appetite.
Acamprosate can safely be used over the long term to help people remain abstinent.1 There are no known significant interactions with other medications that may increase or reduce acamprosate’s effect.1
However, it is always advisable to inform your healthcare practitioner of any medications that you are currently taking before using acamprosate.1
How Does Acamprosate Work?
The acamprosate mechanism of action is not yet fully understood.2 There is some evidence that it affects a brain system related to a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger known as glutamate, that is commonly affected during alcohol withdrawal.2,5
Acamprosate is thought to help calm down the overactivity of glutamate that can happen during protracted alcohol withdrawal.2
Acamprosate’s chemical structure is similar to certain neurotransmitters that either stimulate or calm nerve activity.4 Its pharmacology and mode of action help restore balance in nerve-firing activity that is often disrupted by ongoing alcohol use.4
Specifically, acamprosate affects the function of NMDA receptors, which have excitatory properties, and indirectly promotes the action of GABA, which has a calming function; both of these are impacted during alcohol withdrawal and early abstinence.4,6,7
By helping to normalize and stabilize brain signaling dysfunction, acamprosate for alcoholism may help reduce certain common withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, anxiety, and restlessness, which are all uncomfortable symptoms that can make it more likely for a person to want to start drinking again.2,6
Studies have suggested that people who drank alcohol while taking acamprosate drank less often and in smaller quantities when compared to those who took a placebo.2 It is also important to note that research has generally shown that acamprosate led to increased abstinence rates when compared to a placebo in clinical trials.5
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) Treatment in Hollywood, FL
If you or someone you care about are struggling with AUD, you should know that there is hope, and treatment can help.8 Evidence-based treatment can lead to positive results for those struggling with alcohol misuse and addiction.8
Recovery First Treatment Center in Hollywood, Florida offers effective, evidence-based AUD treatment and various levels of care to suit all needs.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward regaining control of your life, we are here to help. Please call our free and confidential helpline at to speak to a caring admissions navigator.
Our staff can help you understand your rehab options, answer any questions you may have about treatment, quickly verify your insurance benefits, and help you start the admissions process.
You can also check your coverage for rehab using our . Please don’t wait to get the help you deserve.