Products
Acamprosate is commercially available in the form of enteric-coated film-coated tablets (Campral). The active ingredient has been approved in many countries since 1995.
Structure and properties
Acamprosate (C5H11NO4S, Mr =181.2 g/mol) is present in drugs as acamprosate calcium, a white powder that is readily soluble in water. It has structural similarities to the neurotransmitter GABA and the amino acid taurine.
Effects
Acamprosate (ATC N07BB03) binds to the NMDA receptor. It appears to restore the balance between inhibitory systems (GABA) and excitatory systems (glutamate) and reduces alcohol consumption.
Indications
Acamprosate is used to maintain abstinence after withdrawal treatment for alcohol dependence.
Dosage
According to the SmPC. Generally, two tablets are taken three times daily before or during meals. The recommended duration of treatment is up to twelve months.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Renal insufficiency
- Lactation
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Interactions
Acamprosate has a profound potential for interactions because it is poorly metabolized and excreted unchanged. CYP450 is not involved in metabolism. Drug-drug interactions have been described with diltiazem and naltrexone.
Adverse effects
The most common potential adverse effects include diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, rash, pruritus, decreased libido, and impotence.
