acamprosate

Pronunciation:	a camp PRO sayt
Brand:	Campral

What is the most important information I should know about acamprosate?

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.

What is acamprosate?

Acamprosate affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced in patients with alcohol dependence.

Acamprosate is used to help people with alcohol dependence quit drinking alcohol.

Acamprosate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acamprosate?

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.

How should I take acamprosate?

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a acamprosate overdose may include diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking acamprosate?

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.

What are the possible side effects of acamprosate?

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:

headache, tremor, nervousness, or anxiety;
stomach pain, constipation, increased appetite, weight gain;
amnesia, abnormal thinking, tremor, flushing;
abnormal vision, difficulty tasting; or
decreased sex drive or impotence.

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.

What other drugs will affect acamprosate?

Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about acamprosate written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

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. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. 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 consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. 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 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.02. Revision date: 3/25/05.

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