THERAPEUTICS

Brands

• Campral
• see index for additional brand names

Generic?

• Not in U.S.

Class

• Alcohol dependence treatment

Commonly Prescribed For

• (bold for FDA approved)
• Maintenance of alcohol abstinence

How The Drug Works

• Theoretically reduces excitatory glutamate neurotransmission and increases inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission
• Binds to and blocks certain glutamate receptors, including metabotropic glutamate receptors
• Because withdrawal of alcohol following chronic administration can lead to excessive glutamate activity and deficient GABA activity, acamprosate can act as "artificial alcohol" to mitigate these effects

How Long Until It Works

• Has demonstrated efficacy in trials lasting between 13 and 52 weeks

If It Works

• Increases abstinence from alcohol

If It Doesn’t Work

• Evaluate for and address contributing factors
• Consider switching to another agent
• Consider augmenting with naltrexone

Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response or Treatment-Resistance

• Naltrexone
• Augmentation therapy may be more effective than monotherapy
• Augmentation with behavioral, educational, and/or supportive therapy in groups or as an individual is probably key to successful treatment

Tests

• None for healthy individuals