Take acamprosate exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with water.
Acamprosate may be taken with or without food.
Do not stop taking acamprosate without first talking to your doctor.
It is important to take acamprosate regularly to get the most benefit.
Store acamprosate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acamprosate and
contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
an irregular heartbeat or pulse;
low blood pressure (dizziness, weakness);
high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision);
chills or fever;
unusual bleeding or bruising;
a rash or hives.
If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue
taking acamprosate and talk to your doctor:
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.
Acamprosate may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid
these activities.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next
regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Acamprosate may impair judgement, thinking, or motor skills. Do not operate hazardous
machinery, including automobiles, until you are reasonably certain that acamprosate does not affect
your ability to engage in such activities.
Acamprosate has been shown to help alcohol dependent patients to not start drinking again only
when it is used as part of a treatment program that includes counseling and support.
Continue taking acamprosate even if you start drinking again. Discuss the fact that you have
started drinking again with your doctor if this happens.
While you are taking acamprosate monitor for symptoms of depression and/or suicidal thoughts
or actions. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop any new or worsening mental health
symptoms during treatment with acamprosate. Do not stop taking acamprosate without first talking to
your healthcare provider.
Acamprosate is in the FDA pregnancy category C. Discuss the risks with your doctor. Do
not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become
pregnant during treatment.
Acamprosate passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take
acamprosate without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Acamprosate is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Campral.
Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you
have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and end-users in the United States. Cerner Multum does not warrant
that uses outside of the United States are appropriate. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy.
Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or
to serve end-users viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare
practitioners. Healthcare practitioners should use their professional judgment in using the information provided. The absence of a warning for a
given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for
any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2007 Cerner Multum, Inc. All rights reserved.
Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read, understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement,
which can be accessed by clicking on this link.
