Acamprosate for Alcohol Addiction & Dependence

When treating an alcohol addiction, medication can often be an effective way to fight cravings to help a patient attain long-term sobriety. Several different types of medications can be used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and the best fit will depend on the patient’s unique needs. 

One popular, safe, and effective medication used in MAT is acamprosate, which is prescribed to treat alcohol addiction and dependence. 

What is Acamprosate & What Does it Treat?

The prescription medication acamprosate is approved to treat alcohol dependence.1 Acamprosate brand names include the brand name, Campral®, as well as the generic name, acamprosate calcium.2 It falls under the category of psychotropic drugs,3 meaning it works by changing the chemicals within the brain. It is distributed in the form of delayed-release tablets that are typically taken three times a day.4

Acamprosate has become a popular treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) because it has shown no potential for abuse.1 Because of this, the medication is not a controlled substance.2 Additionally, acamprosate carries virtually no risk of overdose, as it’s been shown that even taking 25 times the typical dose has minimal effects.1 

How Does Acamprosate Work?

Currently, how acamprosate works within the brain isn’t completely understood. Scientists hypothesize that acamprosate medications may interact with specific neurotransmitter systems to restore balance to the areas in the brain that were affected by chronic alcohol use.2  

By doing this, acamprosate decreases cravings and urges to use alcohol.4 This lessened desire to drink is key as the patient works through complementary forms of alcohol addiction treatment, such as therapy. 

Are There Side Effects of Acamprosate?

Like many medications, some people may experience side effects while taking acamprosate. However, side effects tend to be mild and decrease or disappear entirely after the first few weeks of taking the drug.1 The primary side effect that may persist is diarrhea.1,4 

Another benefit of acamprosate is that it can be taken with virtually any other medication. To date, there are no known significant interactions with other medications that result in a decrease or increase in effect.4

While it is rare, other side effects may initially present after first taking acamprosate. These less-common side effects of acamprosate can include:1

• Headache
• Intestinal cramps
• Internal gas
• Nausea
• Increased or decreased libido
• Insomnia
• Muscle weakness
• Itchiness
• Dizziness
• Anxiety

In very rare cases, a person may experience suicidal ideation.1 Experiencing any harmful thoughts should be reported to a therapist or medical professional immediately. 

Overall, many clinicians and patients agree that when it comes to acamprosate and alcoholism, the benefits outweigh the minor side effects. 

Is Acamprosate Safe?

Acamprosate is considered to be incredibly safe, even earning the distinction of having an excellent safety and tolerability profile.5 This is due to multiple factors, including that it does not have a potential for abuse, is not an overdose risk, and does not interact with other medications.1,4 

Additionally, acamprosate can be used by patients that may not be able to take other medications to treat their AUD. This includes patients whose livers have been damaged from alcoholism. Since acamprosate is not metabolized by the liver, it can be taken by people with severe liver disease.1 

Since the medication doesn’t interact with opioids, acamprosate and SUD treatments such as opioid maintenance therapy can also be taken concurrently.1 

Can You Drink on Acamprosate?

Acamprosate doesn’t react with alcohol in the way that some other AUD medications do. For example, the medication disulfiram deters alcohol use by making the user feel ill after ingesting even a small amount of alcohol.6 Acamprosate, on the other hand, hinders alcohol use by reducing cravings. 

Acamprosate and AUD treatment typically begins after a person has completed their alcohol detox.2 However, because acamprosate doesn’t interact with alcohol or medication used in medical detox (such as benzodiazepines), it can be continued safely even if a person does relapse and needs to go through the withdrawal period again.1 

If you do relapse while taking acamprosate, it’s best to call your treatment team right away. They may be able to prescribe an additional medication or a different treatment method to help with your substance use disorder (SUD).

How Long Is Acamprosate Prescribed for?

Acamprosate is typically prescribed to begin five days after the person’s last drink.1 The patient will begin feeling the effects of the medication after the first use.4 

The length of a person’s acamprosate treatment will depend on their specific recovery and their doctor’s recommendations. There are no known problems associated with long-term acamprosate use,4 so the patient will often continue their treatment until they have shown stable abstinence from alcohol and have an ongoing plan for their recovery set in place.1

Will Insurance Cover Acamprosate?  

Yes, under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008, health insurers are required to provide the same level of benefits for mental and/or substance use treatment and services that they do for medical/surgical care.7 This includes medication-assisted treatment including acamprosate and other medications a patient may need to resolve their alcohol addiction.

The amount of coverage varies depending on the specific insurance policy. This means that some patients will have their treatment paid for in full, while others may have to pay a partial amount. To learn exactly what your plan covers, reach out to your insurance company directly. Our team at Empowered Recovery Center in Kansas City is also happy to check your benefits on your behalf. Verify your insurance benefits online or give us a call to find out what your plan covers. 

Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Kansas City

In many cases, using a medication like acamprosate can make the difference in attaining lasting sobriety. Yet, it’s only one piece of the overall recovery process. 

At Empowered Recovery Center in Kansas City, we offer a holistic approach to alcohol addiction treatment that uses a combination of therapies, medical techniques, and dual diagnosis care to help you reclaim your life. Our addiction treatment programs are customized to what will best suit you and your needs, whether that includes a medical detox, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, or a standard outpatient rehab program. 

Our compassionate admissions team can help you decide the best program for your life, and they can also describe what our rehab admissions process looks like. For any questions about insurance or costs, they can explain our rehab payment options, including manageable payment plans. 

If you want to learn how acamprosate treatment could be the missing piece in your recovery, call us today. 

References 

1. Chapter 2—Acamprosate. Incorporating Alcohol Pharmacotherapies Into Medical Practice. (2009). NCBI Bookshelf. Retrieved June 11, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64035/
2. CAMPRAL (acamprosate calcium) Delayed-Release Tablets. (n.d.). Retrieved June 11, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/021431s013lbl.pdf
3. Saivin S, Hulot T, Chabac S, Potgieter A, Durbin P, Houin G. Clinical pharmacokinetics of acamprosate. (1998 Nov.) Clin Pharmacokinet. Retrieved June 11, fromhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9839087/#:~:text=Acamprosate%20is%20a%20new%20psychotropic,of%20alcohol%20(ethanol)%2Ddependence.
4. Acamprosate | National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). (2024, December 23). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Retrieved June 11, from https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/treatments/mental-health-medications/types-of-medication/acamprosate/
5. Yahn, S. L., Watterson, L. R., & Olive, M. F. (2013). Safety and Efficacy of Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence. Substance Abuse Research and Treatment. Retrieved June 12, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3565569/#:~:text=The%20most%20comprehensive%20review%20of,excellent%20safety%20and%20tolerability%20profile
6. Disulfiram: MedlinePlus Drug Information. (n.d.). Retrieved June 12, from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682602.html#:~:text=Disulfiram%20is%20used%20to%20treat,%2C%20breathing%20difficulty%2C%20and%20anxiety.
7. Division, D.C. (2023, May 30). Does Insurance Cover Treatment for Opioid Addiction? HHS.gov. Retrieved June 12, from  https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/treatment/insurance-coverage/index.html