GABA Agonist/Glutamate Antagonist · Glutamate Modulator
Acamprosate is a medicine for people who have already stopped drinking and want help staying sober.
It can lessen the physical drive to drink and make it easier to maintain abstinence over time.
Reviewed by the HeyPsych Medical Review Board · Reviewed November 24, 2025
Everyone responds differently, but these are common experiences people report while taking acamprosate after they stop drinking:
“The urge to drink is still there sometimes, but it feels more distant and easier to say no.”
“I still think about alcohol, but it doesn’t feel as powerful or overwhelming.”
“It didn’t magically erase cravings, but it took the edge off enough for therapy and meetings to really help.”
What’s normal: Acamprosate usually reduces the intensity and frequency of cravings rather than eliminating them completely.
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FDA-approved for
FDA-approved use
Used to maintain abstinence after detoxification.
About Alcohol Use DisorderHow many people in 100 notice each one in clinical studies. Many early side effects fade within a few weeks.
About 17 in 100 people in studies
What helps
This is the most common side effect, affecting roughly 1 in 6 people.
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Use only if the potential benefit justifies the possible risk to the fetus (often classified as Category C).
General information, not advice for your case. Talk it through with your prescriber or pharmacist.
Suicidal ideation or tendencies (monitor mood closely).
Severe allergic reaction (Angioedema).
are known).
Thoughts of suicide? Call or text 988, any time.
Everything we know about Acamprosate (Campral), section by section.
14 chapters · about 14 min to read it all. Open any one.
Patient-Friendly Explanation
This medication is meant for people who have already gone through detox and stopped drinking. It is used to help them stay alcohol-free and is not useful if someone is still drinking regularly.Clinical benefit generally emerges within about 5–8 days of starting treatment, with effects maintained as long as therapy continues and abstinence is supported.
| Condition | Dose |
|---|---|
| Moderate (CrCl 30-50 mL/min) | 333 mg TID |
| Severe (CrCl 30 mL/min or less) | Contraindicated |
Mild to moderate (Child-Pugh A or B): No dosage adjustment necessary.
Patient-Friendly Explanation
The usual dose is 666 mg three times a day, often taken as two 333 mg tablets, three times daily. Take the tablets whole with fluid—do not crush or chew them. People with lower body weight may be prescribed a smaller dose.The most common side effect is diarrhea, which is usually mild to moderate and often improves over time. Mood changes and sleep disturbance can also occur and should be monitored.
Acamprosate is renally excreted and not metabolized by the liver, so it has very few pharmacokinetic drug interactions compared with many other medications used in alcohol use disorder.
With: Alcohol
Risk: Continued alcohol use can blunt the medication’s benefit on abstinence.
Action: Avoid alcohol to get the full benefit of treatment.
With: No significant CYP interactions
Risk: Minimal, as acamprosate is not metabolized hepatically.
Action: No major cytochrome P450–related precautions are needed, but always review your full medication list with your prescriber.
Continuous abstinence rate at 6 months
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Long-term drinking leaves the brain in an overexcited state. Acamprosate helps quiet those overactive signals and support the brain’s calming systems, which can reduce physical cravings. It does not treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms.Acamprosate is prescribed to help people with alcohol use disorder stay abstinent after they have stopped drinking. It supports long-term sobriety but is not a treatment for acute withdrawal symptoms.
Yes. You should already be sober before starting acamprosate. It does not help you get through withdrawal safely and is not effective if you are still drinking regularly.
Drinking alcohol while on acamprosate may undermine the medication’s benefits and increase the risk of relapse. For best results, avoid alcohol completely and use this medication as part of a structured recovery plan that includes counseling and support.
In clinical trials, around 36% of people taking acamprosate remained completely abstinent for 6 months, compared with about 23.4% taking a placebo. While it is not a guarantee, it modestly improves the chances of maintaining sobriety when combined with psychosocial treatment.
No taper is usually required because acamprosate does not cause physical dependence. However, you should still talk with your clinician before stopping, since changes in medication may affect your relapse risk and overall treatment plan.
This treatment information is for educational purposes only. Treatment decisions should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals based on individual circumstances, symptoms, and medical history. Do not attempt treatment without professional guidance.
Thinking about Acamprosate (Campral)? A prescriber can tell you if it fits.
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