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Acamprosate
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Description
Acamprosate is used for the treatment of alcohol dependence (a person is unable to stop drinking alcohol and function without it). Acamprosate 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.
Acamprosate 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.
Acamprosate 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.
Acamprosate 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.
Acamprosate 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 effects
Major & minor side effects for Acamprosate
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 Acamprosate
What is it prescribed for?
Alcohol dependence
Acamprosate is used for the treatment of alcohol dependence. It helps to prevent the urge to drink alcohol again in people who used to drink large amounts of alcohol. It is especially effective when combined with counselling as well as social and psychological support.
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
Onset of action
The peak effect of Acamprosate can be observed within 3-8 hours.Duration of effect
The amount of time for which Acamprosate remains active in your body is not clinically established.Safe with alcohol?
Do not drink alcohol while taking Acamprosate. Even a small amount of alcohol can cause treatment failure and you may end up drinking heavily again.Is it habit forming?
No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Acamprosate.Usage in pregnancy?
Due to the lack of safety data in humans, Acamprosate is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.Usage while breast-feeding?
It is not known if Acamprosate passes into the breastmilk. Hence, it is not recommended for use while breastfeeding unless necessary. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Acamprosate 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
Acamprosate 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, Acamprosate is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Hence, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Acamprosate 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
Acamprosate should be used in conjunction with counselling and social support to obtain the best possible result.
Withdrawal symptoms
Acamprosate is used for maintenance of alcohol abstinence (an urge to drink alcohol again) and does not prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
Suicidal ideation
Acamprosate 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
Acamprosate 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
Acamprosate 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 Acamprosate 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 Acamprosate.
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 Acamprosate. 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.
Acamprosate 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 Acamprosate.
Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Acamprosate 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
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].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 22 February 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 5 Apr 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.