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Alcocel Tablet
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Alcocel Tablet

Manufactured byGENTECH HEALTHCARE LTD
ContainsAcamprosate
Description
Alcocel Tablet is used for the treatment of alcohol dependence (a person is unable to stop drinking alcohol and function without it). Alcocel Tablet is used along with behavioural therapy and social support to help prevent an urge to drink again. However, it does not prevent the withdrawal symptoms that you may experience when alcohol consumption is stopped. Alcocel Tablet is also not effective if the consumption of alcohol or other substances of abuse is continued. This medicine works by restoring the balance of chemicals in your brain that may have altered during the years that you have been drinking alcohol. Alcocel Tablet may cause side effects like diarrhoea, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, excessive gas in your stomach, etc. Consult your doctor if these symptoms persist or become severe. Alcocel Tablet should be taken with a meal or as directed by your doctor. The dose and duration of treatment will be decided by your doctor based on the severity of your condition. Take this medicine for the recommended duration for better results. However, avoid taking more than the prescribed dose as it may cause undesired effects. Alcocel Tablet is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it and in children below 18 years of age. Inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions before taking this medicine. Also, inform your doctor about all your current medications to avoid any undesired effects. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding.
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Side effectsConcernsUsage

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Alcocel Tablet

  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Back pain
  • Dry mouth
  • Suicidal thinking and behaviour
  • Palpitations
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Changes in weight
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Decrease in sexual drive
  • Agitation and anxiety
  • Vision disturbances
  • Excessive gas in stomach
  • Itching of skin
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness

Uses of Alcocel Tablet

What is it prescribed for?

  • Alcohol dependence
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The peak effect of Alcocel Tablet can be observed within 3-8 hours.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The amount of time for which Alcocel Tablet remains active in your body is not clinically established.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Do not drink alcohol while taking Alcocel Tablet. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause treatment failure and you may end up drinking heavily again.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Alcocel Tablet.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    Due to the lack of safety data in humans, Alcocel Tablet is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    It is not known if Alcocel Tablet passes into the breastmilk. Hence, it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Allergy

Alcocel Tablet is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Severe renal impairment

Alcocel Tablet is not recommended for use if you have severe kidney problems as it may further worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Due to the lack of safety data in humans, Alcocel Tablet is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

It is not known if Alcocel Tablet passes into the breastmilk. Hence, it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Counseling and social support

Alcocel Tablet should be used in conjunction with counselling and social support to obtain the best possible result.

Withdrawal symptoms

Alcocel Tablet is used for maintenance of alcohol abstinence (an urge to drink alcohol again) and does not prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Suicidal ideation

Alcocel Tablet may cause changes in mood and behaviour and may lead to suicidal tendencies. If you experience changes in mood and behaviour and develop thoughts of self-harm, consult your doctor immediately so that counselling can be done.

Use in children

Alcocel Tablet is not recommended for use in children less than 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.

Driving or operating machines

Alcocel Tablet may cause blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness. It may also affect thinking and decision-making ability or coordination. Hence, avoid performing activities that require mental alertness, such as driving vehicles or operating machines, if you experience such symptoms while taking this medicine.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose of Alcocel Tablet as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek immediate medical attention in case of an overdose for Alcocel Tablet.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Do not drink alcohol while taking Alcocel Tablet. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause treatment failure and you may end up drinking heavily again.
Interaction with Medicine
Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Alcocel Tablet should be taken with a meal. Do not break, chew, or crush the tablet. Swallow as a whole with plenty of water. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. It works effectively in conjunction with counselling and social support. Consumption of alcohol or recreational drugs should be avoided while taking this medicine. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions before beginning treatment with Alcocel Tablet. Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking this medicine.
Miscelleneous

To be taken with food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works
Alcocel Tablet works by stabilising the chemical balance in your brain that would otherwise be disrupted by the consumption of large quantities of alcohol for an extended duration.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Drugs used in alcohol dependence

Schedule

Schedule H

Drugs, H., 2022. Acamprosate: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 22 February 2022].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604028.html>

Medicines.org.uk. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 22 February 2022].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.2729.pdf>
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Information on this page was last updated on 5 Apr 2022

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