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What is Campral
AcamprosateThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryAlcohol use disorder has serious negative effects on people's health, safety, productivity, and finances. Acamprosate, also known as Campral, is a medication used to help people maintain alcohol abstinence. This drug is structurally similar to a neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA. Acamprosate is the first medication specifically made to help people abstain from alcohol after they have gone through alcohol detoxification. It was approved by the FDA in 2004 and is marketed by Forest Laboratories.
Campralis the brand name
Campral Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Campral
Acamprosate
2005
15
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Acamprosate, also known as Campral, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses like Alcohol Abstinence and alcohol detoxification completed .Alcohol Abstinence
alcohol detoxification completed
in a psychosocial support program
Alcoholism
Helps manage Alcohol Dependency
Effectiveness
How Campral Affects PatientsAcamprosate is a drug that helps to balance out the activity of certain neurons in the brain, which can help reduce alcohol intake and increase the chances of remaining abstinent from alcohol. It is considered to be generally safe and well-tolerated for people with alcohol dependency.
How Campral works in the bodyAcamprosate works to help people maintain alcohol abstinence, but the exact mechanism is not known. It's thought that acamprosate helps to restore the balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain. It does this by binding to and blocking GABA B receptors, and indirectly affecting GABA A receptors.
When to interrupt dosage
The suggested measure of Campral is governed by the diagnosed circumstance, like Alcoholism, Alcohol Abstinence and alcohol detoxification achieved. The degree of dosage changes, as per the technique of delivery (e.g. Tablet, delayed release or Tablet, coated - Oral) demonstrated in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Alcoholism
, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
alcohol detoxification completed
, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Alcohol Abstinence
, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
in a psychosocial support program
, 333.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, delayed release, Tablet, delayed release - Oral, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral
Warnings
Campral ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
known hypersensitivity to the drug or any of the ingredients
Do Not Combine
creatinine ≤30 mL/min
Do Not Combine
Common Campral Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Campral Toxicity & Overdose RiskThe toxic dose of acamprosate in male mice has been found to be 1.87g/kg. In cases of overdose, the only symptom reported is diarrhea. To treat an overdose, supportive and symptomatic care is recommended.
Campral Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Campral?
10 active trials are presently being conducted to assess Campral's potential for treating Alcohol Abstinence, successful Alcohol Detoxification and the need for Psychosocial Support Programs.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
alcohol detoxification completed
0 Actively Recruiting
Alcoholism
7 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 2
Alcohol Abstinence
2 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
in a psychosocial support program
0 Actively Recruiting
Campral Reviews: What are patients saying about Campral?
5Patient Review
7/9/2016 This medicine has been a godsend. I no longer have any craving for alcohol and it's really helped me stay on the wagon.
5Patient Review
7/16/2014 I'm a former heavy drinker who's been sober for over a year and a half now, and I attribute much of that success to this treatment. It takes some time to work, but it's worth sticking with if you're looking to quit drinking.
5Patient Review
4/19/2020 This treatment has been incredibly helpful for me in staying sober. I was a heavy drinker for 35 years, and decided to go to detox to quit. The withdrawal symptoms were avoided, and I've remained alcohol-free for three months now with no cravings. There are some side effects like bad gas and joint pain, but overall this has been a really positive experience.
5Patient Review
8/9/2018 Campral was highly effective for me, and I stayed sober for over a year while taking it as prescribed. However, I foolishly thought that I didn't need it anymore and stopped taking it. Now I'm having to start the whole process over again. If you're considering this treatment, I would advise you to stay on it for at least one or two years for maximum benefit.
5Patient Review
7/19/2021 It's been six weeks and I haven't had a single craving. I feel like I was never a hardcore alcoholic, even though I was for the past 15 years. This drug is nothing short of miraculous and it should be available over-the-counter so that all heavy drinkers can get help before they reach rock bottom.
5Patient Review
6/5/2022 Acampral was successful in removing any cravings I had for alcohol. It only took a week to work, and now I'm feeling much better after being sober for a month. This is compared to last year when I stopped drinking for three months cold turkey; the cravings were so bad then that it felt like they stuck with me all day long.
4.3Patient Review
12/18/2020 I found that Campral was very effective in killing my cravings for alcohol. However, it also killed my sex drive, which is a big problem for me. I'm going to switch back to Naproxen soon.
4Patient Review
5/20/2017 I've been struggling with addiction for a long time, and this is the first treatment that has really worked for me. Campral seems to be helping me stay sober with minimal side-effects, and I'm hopeful that it will continue to be effective in the long term.
4Patient Review
4/11/2016 Campral has helped a lot, but does anyone else experience joint pain? I have osteoarthritis any way. Now wondering which is from campral if any or just my arthritis . Can anyone tell me what has been the worst side effect?
4Patient Review
7/9/20143Patient Review
5/19/2018 Worked for a week, then the cravings came back stronger than ever.
1.7Patient Review
2/7/2017 Campral did not work for me at all, and I can't afford to seek other treatment options.
1Patient Review
7/22/2014 Even after completing detox, I found that this treatment didn't stop me from using alcohol.
1Patient Review
12/12/2016 I have not found this to be effective in reducing my cravings.
Patient Q&A Section about campral
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is Campral like gabapentin?
"A newer drug, acamprosate (Campral®), which is the only other medication approved by FDA for alcoholism treatment, normalizes dysregulation in brain stress systems following acute withdrawal, similar to gabapentin."
Answered by AI
What does the drug Campral do?
"Acamprosate is taken in order to help people who are struggling with alcoholism to refrain from drinking. The medication works by restoring the natural equilibrium of chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters). It is important to note that one should only start taking acamprosate after they have already stopped drinking alcohol."
Answered by AI
How does Campral make you feel?
"The main side effects of this medication are diarrhoea, occasional headache, and some nausea. You likely won't feel anything unless you experience one of the listed side effects. Campral will not make you feel high or sedated."
Answered by AI