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Acamprosate
Medication / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Acamprosate, sold under the brand name Campral, is a medication which reduces alcoholism cravings.[1][5] It is thought to stabilize chemical signaling in the brain that would otherwise be disrupted by alcohol withdrawal.[6] When used alone, acamprosate is not an effective therapy for alcohol use disorder in most individuals,[7] as it only addresses withdrawal symptoms and not psychological dependence. It facilitates a reduction in alcohol consumption as well as full abstinence when used in combination with psychosocial support or other drugs that address the addictive behavior.[5][8][9]
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Pronunciation | /əˈkæmproʊseɪt/ |
Trade names | Campral, Campral EC |
Other names | N-Acetyl homotaurine, acamprosate calcium (JAN JP), acamprosate calcium (USAN US) |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
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Routes of administration | By mouth[1] |
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Bioavailability | 11%[1] |
Protein binding | Negligible[1] |
Metabolism | Nil[1] |
Elimination half-life | 20 h to 33 h[1] |
Excretion | Kidney[1] |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.071.495 ![]() |
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Formula | C5H11NO4S |
Molar mass | 181.21 g·mol−1 |
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Serious side effects include allergic reactions, abnormal heart rhythms, and low or high blood pressure, while less serious side effects include headaches, insomnia, and impotence.[10] Diarrhea is the most common side-effect.[11] It is unclear if use is safe during pregnancy.[12][13]
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[14]