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What is acamprosate?

Acamprosate is a medicine used to reduce cravings for alcohol. Alcohol cravings occur as part of the syndrome of alcoholism, and acamprosate has been shown to reduce them. More than this, the research evidence demonstrates that acamprosate increases the chances of maintaining abstinence after alcohol detox. Additionally, acamprosate reduces the amount drunk and the number of drinking days in those that continue to drink.

How does acamprosate work?

There are various mechanisms hypothesized for the action of acamprosate to reduce alcohol craving. These all centre around the effect of acamprosate on the neurons in the brain. Brain neurons become overactive when alcohol is withdrawn from the brain of someone suffering with alcoholism. Acamprosate enhances the effect of natural sedative brain chemicals such as GABA on brain neurons. Acamprosate also reduces the effect of natural stimulant brain chemicals such as glutamate on brain neurons. Acamprosate also effects the transfer of calcium in neurons reducing their activity. All these mechanisms of action of acamprosate lead to the same kind of effect – reversal of the overactivity of brain neurons that occurs during alcohol withdrawal.

How well does acamprosate work?

Studies show that use of acamprosate results in abstinence for 1 in 5 people who would not have achieved abstinence if acamprosate had not been prescribed. Acamprosate is also likely to reduce the amount drunk and the number of days on which alcohol is drunk, for those who do not achieve abstinence.

What are the side effects of acamprosate?

All medicines have the potential to cause side effects and acamprosate is no exception to this. Acamprosate can cause stomach upset, loss of appetite, dry mouth, diarrhea, flatulence, weakness and dizziness. If a skin rash or tingling or numbness occur in the hands, feet, arms or legs, then this can indicate the occurrence of a severe reaction to acamprosate – in such cases your doctor should be informed immediately that you are taking acamprosate. Severe reactions to acamprosate are rare, and as medicines go in general, acamprosate is a relatively safe one in terms of its potential to cause serious side effects.

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