Acamprosate
In brief
- In our pharmacy, you can buy acamprosate without a prescription, with delivery in 9–21 days throughout the United Kingdom. Discreet and anonymous packaging.
- Acamprosate is used to help maintain abstinence in alcohol dependence and reduce craving after detoxification. It is thought to work by helping restore the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signalling in the brain, particularly by modulating glutamatergic and GABAergic activity.
- The usual dose of acamprosate is 666 mg three times daily, using two 333 mg tablets per dose. In moderate renal impairment, the dose is usually reduced to 333 mg three times daily.
- The form of administration is an oral enteric-coated or delayed-release tablet.
- The effect of the medication begins gradually over days to weeks, rather than immediately.
- The duration of action is maintained only while it is taken regularly, and it is generally used long term over months as part of relapse prevention treatment.
- Alcohol should be avoided during treatment, as acamprosate is intended to support abstinence and works best when you have already stopped drinking.
- The most common side effect is diarrhoea. Other common side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, itching and rash.
- Would you like to try acamprosate without a prescription?
Basic acamprosate information
- INN (international nonproprietary name): acamprosate
- Brand names available in the United Kingdom: Campral, Campral EC
- ATC code: N07BB03
- Forms and strengths: 333 mg enteric-coated oral tablet
- Manufacturers in the United Kingdom: not specified
- Registration status in the United Kingdom: prescription-only medicine
- OTC / Rx classification: Rx
Wondering whether acamprosate is still worth considering, or whether it has been replaced by newer alcohol dependence treatments?
The short answer is that the evidence still supports it.
In UK practice, acamprosate remains a well-established option for maintaining abstinence after detox, especially when the goal is to stay alcohol-free rather than to keep drinking less.
That fits NICE-aligned care in the UK.
Acamprosate and oral naltrexone are among the best-supported medicines for relapse prevention in alcohol use disorder.
Legal status in the UK
Acamprosate is a prescription-only medicine (POM) in the UK.
How acamprosate works in the brain
Long-term heavy drinking throws the brain’s balance off.
When alcohol is stopped, the brain can become overly excitable, which is part of why cravings and discomfort can feel so strong in early abstinence.
Acamprosate helps stabilise that balance so the brain is less “revved up” and the urge to drink is easier to manage.
It is useful after detox, not during acute withdrawal, because it is meant to support relapse prevention rather than treat the immediate symptoms of stopping alcohol.
- Glutamate
- A brain chemical linked with excitation; acamprosate is thought to help dampen the overactive glutamatergic state seen in abstinence.
- GABA
- A calming neurotransmitter; acamprosate may influence GABA-related pathways and help restore balance.
- Calcium acetylhomotaurinate
- The full chemical name of acamprosate; the exact mechanism is not fully established.
- Craving reduction
- The practical effect patients look for: fewer urges and better control during recovery.
Clinically speaking, acamprosate is calcium acetylhomotaurinate and its exact mechanism is not fully established.
That is important because patients sometimes expect a medicine with this sort of brain chemistry label to work like a sedative or a rapid craving blocker.
It does not.
Instead, it works gradually, which is why regular use and support from counselling matter so much.
Licensed indication and NHS use
What is acamprosate actually approved for?
In plain UK terms, it is for maintaining abstinence from alcohol in adults with alcohol dependence who are abstinent when treatment starts.
That approved use is narrow on purpose.
It is not approved for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, or other substance use disorders.
- Approved use: maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in alcohol dependence.
- Not approved for: anxiety, depression, insomnia, or non-alcohol addictions.
- UK care setting: usually prescribed through a GP, specialist alcohol service, or addiction team.
In practice, many people first hear about acamprosate from NHS 111, their GP, or a local alcohol service.
That is because it is usually part of a wider recovery plan, not a stand-alone quick fix.
Its ATC code is N07BB03, which places it in the alcohol dependence treatment group.
Brand names, generics and UK packaging
Do Campral tablets and generic acamprosate calcium tablets look the same?
Not always, but they contain the same active ingredient.
The best-documented brand name is Campral, with Campral EC used for the enteric-coated tablets.
In the UK, patients may see different naming on the box, on the pharmacy label, and in the patient information leaflet.
| Name | What it means | Typical appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Campral | Brand name for acamprosate calcium | White, round, enteric-coated or delayed-release tablets |
| Campral EC | Enteric-coated brand version | Enteric-coated tablets, usually 333 mg |
| Generic acamprosate calcium | Same active ingredient, different manufacturer | Pack presentation may vary by supplier |
The standard tablet strength is 333 mg.
Tablets are commonly supplied in blister packs.
In our online pharmacy, acamprosate is available without a prescription, with discreet delivery to the United Kingdom in 9–21 days.
Contraindications and who needs extra caution
Could acamprosate be unsafe for you?
There are a few important situations where it should not be used, or where extra caution is sensible.
Severe renal impairment is a key contraindication because the medicine is cleared through the kidneys.
Breastfeeding is also listed as a contraindication in several product references, and hypersensitivity is an absolute stop.
| Type | Examples | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute contraindications | Severe renal impairment, breastfeeding, hypersensitivity | Do not use |
| Extra caution | Moderate renal impairment, pregnancy, older age, depression or suicidal thoughts | Needs assessment and monitoring |
Older adults need renal checks because kidney function often falls with age.
Pregnancy needs an individual risk–benefit review.
Depression or suicidal thoughts should always be taken seriously and monitored closely.
Driving and work are usually less affected by sedation than with some other medicines, but dizziness, diarrhoea, or headache can still affect daily functioning.
Dosage and administration in UK practice
How is acamprosate usually taken?
The standard adult dose for alcohol dependence is 666 mg three times daily, usually as two 333 mg tablets each time.
If renal function is reduced to a creatinine clearance of 30–50 mL/min, the dose is typically reduced to 333 mg three times daily.
It should be avoided in severe renal impairment.
| Renal function | Usual dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Normal or mild impairment | 666 mg | Three times daily |
| Moderate impairment | 333 mg | Three times daily |
| Severe impairment | Not suitable | Do not use |
Tablets should be swallowed whole.
They are commonly taken with meals to support routine and adherence.
That matters because a three-times-daily schedule is easy to forget, particularly if someone is rebuilding their routine after stopping alcohol.
Electronic prescriptions, repeat dispensing, and clear pharmacy counselling can make a big difference to adherence.
Missed doses, timing and practical adherence
What if you forget a dose on a busy day?
Take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due.
Do not double up.
Consistency matters more than making up for missed tablets later.
- Use a phone reminder or NHS app medication list.
- Keep tablets with your usual meal routine.
- Ask the pharmacist about blister packs or repeat dispensing if remembering doses is difficult.
Multiple daily dosing is one of the biggest practical challenges with acamprosate, but patients who stick with the schedule are more likely to report good outcomes.
That is why counselling at the pharmacy counter is not just a nice extra; it is part of the medicine working properly.
Interactions with alcohol, food and other medicines
Can you drink while taking acamprosate?
It is intended to support abstinence, so alcohol should generally be avoided.
Unlike disulfiram, it does not usually cause a disulfiram-style reaction, but drinking works against the treatment goal.
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Best avoided because it undermines abstinence support. |
| Food | Food can reduce bioavailability a little, but tablets are often taken with meals for convenience. |
| Other medicines | Check with a pharmacist or prescriber, especially if kidney medicines or multiple long-term treatments are involved. |
Food reduces bioavailability somewhat, but standard dosing already accounts for that.
If you take several medicines, it is sensible to ask a pharmacist to check your full list rather than guessing.
That is especially true if you are also dealing with kidney problems, blood pressure treatment, or mood medicines.
Side effects and Yellow Card reporting
What do patients actually notice?
The most common side effects are usually gastrointestinal.
Diarrhoea is the one people mention most often at the pharmacy counter, followed by abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, itching, rash, dizziness, headache, insomnia, anxiety, and depression.
| Type | Examples | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Common | Diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness | Speak to the pharmacist if mild and manageable |
| Less common | Rash, itching, insomnia, anxiety, vomiting | Contact the prescriber if persistent |
| Urgent | Allergic reaction, swelling, severe mood change, suicidal thoughts | Seek urgent medical help |
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme is the UK route for reporting suspected adverse reactions.
That includes unexpected side effects, mood changes, allergic reactions, or anything that feels out of the ordinary.
It is especially important to report new depression, suicidal thoughts, or serious skin reactions promptly.
Alternatives, frequently asked questions and pharmacist counselling points
How does acamprosate compare with the other big names in alcohol dependence treatment?
Acamprosate is usually compared with naltrexone and disulfiram.
Each has a different place in practice.
| Medicine | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Acamprosate | Good abstinence support, generally well tolerated | Three-times-daily dosing, kidney-based restrictions |
| Naltrexone | Helpful for heavy drinking and craving | Not ideal for everyone with liver concerns |
| Disulfiram | Can deter drinking in selected, supervised patients | Needs strong adherence and careful supervision |
Here are the questions people usually ask first.
- When does it start working? Usually gradually over weeks, not immediately.
- Can I drink alcohol on it? It is meant to support abstinence, so drinking is generally discouraged.
- Is it addictive? No, it is not considered habit-forming.
- What about kidney problems? Kidney function matters a great deal, and severe impairment is a contraindication.
Pharmacist counselling should focus on starting after detox, taking it exactly as prescribed, reporting mood changes, and keeping psychosocial support in place.
That last point matters more than many people realise.
Acamprosate is best used as part of a comprehensive programme, not as a stand-alone rescue tablet.
Delivery across the United Kingdom
| City | Region | Delivery time |
|---|---|---|
| London | England | 9–21 days |
| Birmingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Manchester | England | 9–21 days |
| Leeds | England | 9–21 days |
| Liverpool | England | 9–21 days |
| Bristol | England | 9–21 days |
| Sheffield | England | 9–21 days |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | England | 9–21 days |
| Nottingham | England | 9–21 days |
| Cardiff | Wales | 9–21 days |
| Edinburgh | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Glasgow | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Aberdeen | Scotland | 9–21 days |
| Norwich | England | 9–21 days |
| Swansea | Wales | 9–21 days |
