Acamprosate: profile and news

Replidyne and Forest Laboratories Announce FDA Acceptance for ... Feb 23, 2006
...angiotensin receptor blocker and diuretic combination product indicated for the second- line treatment of hypertension; Campral (R) * (acamprosate calcium), a ... - Finanzen.net,

Lactose intolerance can be counteracted with enzymes Feb 19, 2006
...addiction to alcohol. I'm happy to publish your story and the success that Campral (acamprosate) has helped bring you. As you point ... - SouthCoastToday.com,

MILK SUGAR -- A PROBLEM FOR MANY Feb 13, 2006
...to alcohol. -- TD. ANSWER: I'm happy to publish your story and the success that Campral (acamprosate) has helped bring you. As you ... - Charlotte Sun-Herald,

What works in alcohol use disorders? Feb 9, 2006
More recent evidence provides some support for the use of drugs such as acamprosate to prevent relapse in the medium to long term. - Adv Psychiatric Treat (subscription)

Replidyne and Forest Laboratories Announce Faropenem Medoxomil ... Feb 13, 2006
...an angiotensin receptor blocker and diuretic combination product indicated for the second- line treatment of hypertension; Campral(R)* (acamprosate calcium), a ... - PR Newswire (press release),

Other information

Indication
For the maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence who are abstinent at treatment initiation

Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamic studies have shown that acamprosate calcium reduces alcohol intake in alcohol-dependent animals in a dose-dependent manner and that this effect appears to be specific to alcohol and the mechanisms of alcohol dependence. Acamprosate calcium has negligible observable central nervous system (CNS) activity in animals outside of its effects on alcohol dependence, exhibiting no anticonvulsant, antidepressant, or anxiolytic activity.

Mechanism Of Action
The mechanism of action of acamprosate in maintenance of alcohol abstinence is not completely understood. Chronic alcohol exposure is hypothesized to alter the normal balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition. in vitro and in vivo studies in animals have provided evidence to suggest acamprosate may interact with glutamate and GABA neurotransmitter systems centrally, and has led to the hypothesis that acamprosate restores this balance.

Drug Category
Alcohol Deterrents; ATC:N07BB03

Brand Names/Synonyms
Acamprosate; Acamprosate 6473; Acamprosate 6473 [Inn]; Acamprosato [Inn-Spanish]; Acamprosatum [Inn-Latin]; Campral; N-Acetylhomotaurine

Dosage Forms
Not Available

Absorption
Not Available

Interactions
-->Interactions for Acamprosate:

The concomitant intake of alcohol and CAMPRAL does not affect the pharmacokinetics of either alcohol or acamprosate.

Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that administration of disulfiram or diazepam does not affect the pharmacokinetics of acamprosate. Co-administration of naltrexone with CAMPRAL produced a 25% increase in AUC and a 33% increase in the C_max of acamprosate. No adjustment of dosage is recommended in such patients.

The pharmacokinetics of naltrexone and its major metabolite 6-beta-naltrexol were unaffected following co-administration with CAMPRAL.

Other concomitant therapies: In clinical trials, the safety profile in subjects treated with CAMPRAL concomitantly with anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives (including benzodiazepines), or non-opioid analgesics was similar to that of subjects taking placebo with these concomitant medications. Patients taking CAMPRAL concomitantly with antidepressants more commonly reported both weight gain and weight loss, compared with patients taking either medication alone.

Chemical IUPAC Name
3-acetylaminopropane-1-sulfonicacid

Chemical Formula
C5H11NO4S

Half Life
20 - 33 hours

Drug Type
Approved Drug

# Accession No
APRD00661

CAS Registry Number
77337-76-9