About CAMPRAL

What is Campral?

Campral (acamprosate calcium) Delayed-Release Tablets were approved by the FDA on July 29, 2004.  Campral is the first new medication approved for the treatment of alcohol dependence or alcoholism as it is commonly referred to, in a decade.

Campral is a medication that helps people stay alcohol-free in combination with counseling or support groups once they have stopped drinking.  Campral is thought to restore the normal brain balance, which has been disturbed in someone who is alcohol dependent,

You may have heard of other medications prescribed to help people stop drinking.  They work differently than Campral.  They either make people very ill if they drink even small amounts of alcohol or block the “high” associated with drinking alcohol.

Campral helps reduce the physical distress and emotional discomfort (e.g.: sweating, anxiety, sleep disturbances) associated with staying alcohol-free.  This, in combination with counseling and support groups, makes it easier for people not to drink.

In several clinical trials, Campral was shown to help up to 3 times more people stay alcohol-free than placebo pills (sugar pills).  In addition, for patients who did experience a slip or relapse, Campral prolonged the periods of abstinence and reduced the number and severity of relapses.

Campral is Safe and Well Tolerated
 You can take comfort in the fact that Campral has been used by over 1.5 million patients worldwide.  Campral can be used by people with mild to moderate liver problems.  Some people have experienced side effects such as diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, gas and itching.  The most common side effect diarrhea, usually resolved with time.

Campral can be taken with many other medications, including medications for anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.  Campral is not addictive.

You Can Start Campral When You are Alcohol-free
If you are interested in seeking treatment for alcoholism, talk to your doctor about Campral.  Treatment should begin as soon as possible following alcohol withdrawal, once you have achieved abstinence.  The recommended daily dose is two 333 mg tablets taken three times per day that you can take with your meals.  Should you relapse, treatment can be continued and you should discuss your relapse with your doctor.

Campral should be used a s part of a comprehensive management program that includes psychosocial support such as counseling and support groups.