Campral for Alcohol Use Disorder

The Basics of Campral

Acamprosate is one of several medications to treat AUD.[2] It works by creating a balance between the neurotransmitters that regulate excitement and inhibition. With other forms of treatment like therapy, this restored balance can help a person control their urge to drink. Campral reduces the likelihood of relapse to alcohol abuse since it lessens the severity of cravings for alcohol. 

This chart breaks down how Campral works:[1-3]

How Effective is Campral for Alcohol Use Disorder?

Campral has shown notable effectiveness in being part of the treatment for alcohol use disorder. A study published in the Therapeutics and Risk Management journal reported a 47.6% success rate at the end of treatment and a 35% success rate six months later with behavioral therapy, in helping people control their AUD.[3] 

Another study in American Family Physician noted that “acamprosate appears to be an effective and safe treatment strategy for supporting continuous abstinence after detoxification,” especially when combined with ongoing behavioral therapy and other forms of aftercare support.[4] 

Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment noted that acamprosate has “numerous favorable properties as a pharmacological adjunct to standard approaches to treating alcoholism.”[1] 

Benefits of Campral

General benefits of Campral range from its effectiveness in reducing alcohol cravings to helping people maintain their sobriety after completing the detoxification process. Campral can also help in restoring the balance and functioning of neurotransmitters that have been affected by the alcohol use disorder. Additionally, Campral has a low potential for abuse and addiction, making it a reliable and safe option for long-term use in alcohol use disorder treatment.[5-7]

Campral is most effective when used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan, one that includes components of counseling and behavioral therapy. Such components give participants vital tools for coping with triggers, like stress, that might precipitate a relapse. 

Campral, on its own, will likely not be effective enough in helping people achieve long-term sobriety. It should be used as part of a comprehensive MAT program for AUD.[8]

How Does Campral Work? 

Campral helps to regulate the balance of the inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain, which regulates the mechanisms of self-control and feeling rewarded (and the anticipation of those feelings). Campral has a half-life of approximately 32 hours, and it takes up to four days to be completely eliminated from the time of the last dose.[9]

Campral has been known to cause a range of mild to moderate side effects, including difficulty sleeping, headaches, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in some patients. 

Who Is Not a Candidate for Campral?

Not every patient should take Campral. Those with a history of severe kidney issues should not be prescribed Campral because impaired kidney functioning means that the acamprosate will stay in a patient’s body for longer than it should, increasing the risks of potential side effects.[10] 

Allergic reactions to Campral are rare, but documented; symptoms can include rash, swollen tongue, itching, severe dizziness, and difficulty breathing.[10] Any one of these issues requires immediate medical attention. The Cureus journal noted that, while uncommon, untreated serious allergic reactions could be fatal.[11] 

Campral could possibly interact with certain other medications that are prescribed for the treatment of depression and/or anxiety. People who are receiving pharmacological treatments for any mental health conditions should not receive Campral.

What Happens if You Drink While on Campral?

A person who drinks while on Campral risks rendering the medication ineffective. This, in turn, raises the possibility that the person will either take higher doses of the acamprosate than recommended (putting the liver at risk) or sustain a relapse.

Additionally, drinking while on Campral puts significant stress on the liver and kidneys. This stress is exacerbated if the patient has any pre-existing health problems, which may be the case because of their past AUD. 

If you drink while on Campral, contact your treatment team. It’s a sign that some element of your care plan needs adjustment.

Campral for AUD FAQs

These are some of the questions we hear most about using Campral for AUD treatment: