acamprosate

Therapeutic Classification: alcohol abuse therapy adjuncts

Pharmacologic Classification: gamma aminobutyric acid gaba analogues

REMS

Maintenance of alcohol abstinence; part of a comprehensive alcohol abstinence program.

Interacts with and restores balance to CNS glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems.

Therapeutic effects:

Continued alcohol abstinence.

Absorption: 11% absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Unknown.

Metabolism/Excretion: Not metabolized, excreted mainly unchanged in urine.

Half-Life: 20–33 hr.

(blood levels)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	3–8 hr	unknown

Contraindicated in:

Hypersensitivity;
CCr ≤30 mL/min.

Use Cautiously in:

CCr 30–50 mL/min (dose ↓ necessary);
History of depression or suicide attempt;
OB: Use during pregnancy only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential fetal risk;
Lactation: Use while breastfeeding only if potential maternal benefit justifies potential risk to infant;
Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children.

CV: palpitations, peripheral edema, syncope, vasodilation

Derm: rash

EENT: abnormal vision

GI: abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, ↑appetite, nausea, taste perversion, vomiting

GU: ↓libido, erectile dysfunction

Metab: weight gain

MS: arthralgia, back pain, myalgia

Neuro: tremor, abnormal thinking, anxiety, depression, drowsiness, headache

Resp: cough, dyspnea, pharyngitis, rhinitis

Drug-drug:

None reported.

PO (Adults ): Two 333-mg tablets (666 mg/dose) 3 times daily. Lower doses may be effective in some patients.

Renal Impairment

PO (Adults ): CCr 30–50 mL/min—One 333-mg tablet 3 times daily.

(Generic available)

Delayed-release tablets: 333 mg

Assess for signs of alcohol withdrawal at start of therapy. Acamprosate does not eliminate or diminish withdrawal symptoms.

Lab Test Considerations:

May cause anemia, lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hyperglycemia, abnormal liver function tests, ↑ AST, ↑ ALT, hyperuricemia, and bilirubinemia.

Treatment with acamprosate should be started as soon as possible after the period of alcohol withdrawal, when the patient has achieved abstinence, and should be continued if the patient relapses.
PO: Administer without regard to meals. May be given with meals to increase adherence.

Instruct patient to take medication as directed, even if relapse occurs. Advise patient to discuss any renewed drinking with health care professional.
May cause dizziness and changes in vision. Caution patients to avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known.
Advise female patients to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
Encourage patient to continue active counseling and support. Acamprosate helps maintain abstinence only when used as part of a comprehensive psychosocial treatment program.

Continued abstinence from alcohol.

Ineffective coping(Indications)

NDC Code

0093- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
- 0093-5352- Acamprosate Calcium
  - 0093-5352-86- 180 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (0093-5352-86)

10135- Marlex Pharmaceuticals Inc
- 10135-636- Acamprosate Calcium
  - 10135-636-32- 180 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (10135-636-32)

42291- AvKARE, Inc.
- 42291-104- Acamprosate Calcium
  - 42291-104-18- 180 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (42291-104-18)

60687- American Health Packaging
- 60687-121- Acamprosate Calcium
  - 60687-121-25- 30 BLISTER PACK in 1 BOX, UNIT-DOSE (60687-121-25) > 1 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BLISTER PACK (60687-121-95)

68382- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 68382-569- acamprosate calcium
  - 68382-569-01- 100 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (68382-569-01)

68382- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 68382-569- acamprosate calcium
  - 68382-569-05- 500 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (68382-569-05)

68382- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 68382-569- acamprosate calcium
  - 68382-569-06- 30 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (68382-569-06)

68382- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 68382-569- acamprosate calcium
  - 68382-569-10- 1000 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (68382-569-10)

68382- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 68382-569- acamprosate calcium
  - 68382-569-16- 90 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (68382-569-16)

68382- Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.
- 68382-569- acamprosate calcium
  - 68382-569-28- 180 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (68382-569-28)

68462- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
- 68462-435- Acamprosate Calcium
  - 68462-435-11- 10 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (68462-435-11) > 10 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BLISTER PACK

68462- Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
- 68462-435- Acamprosate Calcium
  - 68462-435-18- 180 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (68462-435-18)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1057- acamprosate calcium
  - 70771-1057-0- 1000 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1057-0)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1057- acamprosate calcium
  - 70771-1057-1- 100 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1057-1)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1057- acamprosate calcium
  - 70771-1057-3- 30 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1057-3)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1057- acamprosate calcium
  - 70771-1057-5- 500 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1057-5)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1057- acamprosate calcium
  - 70771-1057-8- 180 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1057-8)

70771- Cadila Healthcare Limited
- 70771-1057- acamprosate calcium
  - 70771-1057-9- 90 TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE in 1 BOTTLE (70771-1057-9)

section name header

Pronunciation ⬇

Classifications ⬆ ⬇

Indications ⬆ ⬇

Action ⬆ ⬇

Pharmacokinetics ⬆ ⬇

Time/Action Profile ⬆ ⬇

Contraind./Precautions ⬆ ⬇

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects ⬆ ⬇

Interactions ⬆ ⬇

Route/Dosage ⬆ ⬇

Availability ⬆ ⬇

Assessment ⬆ ⬇

Implementation ⬆ ⬇

Patient/Family Teaching ⬆ ⬇

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes ⬆ ⬇

Canadian Brand Names ⬆ ⬇

Pot. Nursing Diagnoses ⬆ ⬇

Code ⬆