Acamprosate

What Is Acamprosate?

Acamprosate is a medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD).

How Does Acamprosate Work?

• Acamprosate is thought to work by restoring the natural balance of neurotransmitters in the brain that is disrupted by chronic alcohol use.
• Acamprosate decreases cravings for alcohol. It helps people avoid drinking entirely (abstinence) or decrease heavy drinking.

Acamprosate for AUD

Acamprosate is one component of a comprehensive treatment plan for AUD that includes counseling and other behavioral health therapies. The use of acamprosate for AUD may be most effective for:

• Patients who cannot take other medications for AUD because of hepatic disease or being treated with opioids);
• Patients coping with multiple medical issues who are currently taking many other medications.

The medicine is usually started a few days after stopping alcohol use so that most withdrawal symptoms have gone away. Acamprosate helps prevent cravings for alcohol. Treatment typically lasts for several months, and patients should continue to receive supportive counseling and monitoring by their practitioner throughout this period.

Acamprosate is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated medication for treating AUD with no potential for misuse and has been found to have no clinically significant drug interactions. Acamprosate is also safe to use in combination with psychiatric medications as well. Acamprosate can be continued if the patient returns to alcohol use. Acamprosate is not addictive and does not cause withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.

SAMHSA funds the Providers Clinical Support System – Medications for Alcohol Use Disorders (PCSS-MAUD) to provide free training and mentoring to medical practitioners to identify and treat AUD.

PCSS-MAUD created a Mini Video Series on the three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD). Healthcare practitioners can view the three videos on acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone to learn about each of the medications and the benefits to using them when treating patients with AUD.

Acamprosate Safety Precautions

Patients should not start acamprosate if they have severe kidney disease. In addition, patients should talk to their practitioner before starting treatment with acamprosate if they are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

It is also important for practitioners to be aware of all medications and supplements the patient is taking to avoid potential interactions.

Common and Serious Side Effects of Acamprosate

Acamprosate is generally tolerated very well.

Common side effects may include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea or loss of appetite, Itching
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Serious but rare side effects may include:

• Worsening depression or suicidal behavior

Acamprosate may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Storage and Disposal of Acamprosate

• Store in the container it came in and tightly closed.
• Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
• Keep away from children and pets.
• Properly discard the product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details on how to safely discard your product.

Risk of Return to Use

Acamprosate can significantly reduce the risk of return to use, but it is important for patients to understand that it is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes behavioral therapy and support groups. Patients should be encouraged to engage in these additional supports to sustain long-term recovery.

Resources and Publications

• Medication for the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder: A Brief Guide (PDF | 507 KB)
• FDA Medication Guide: Acamprosate (PDF | 302 KB)
• National Institutes of Health DAILYMED | Acamprosate

For more information or to report side effects, patients and practitioners can contact FDA’s MEDWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit MEDWatch | The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.