Substance name: Acamprostate Calcium
- Marketed as Campral EC by Merck Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (Lipha)
- Aim:
To prevent relapse. Campral EC is specifically designed to reduce the craving for alcohol.
- How the medication works:
This is a new class of medication. It works at the level of nerve transmission in the brain.
- The most commonly reported side effects are:
stomach and bowel upsets, and skin irritation. These only occur in a small minority of people and generally disappear if the medication is stopped.
- The most common side effects during detoxification are:
Drowsiness, light-headedness, muscle weakness, memory problems.
- General Information:
It is possible to start taking this medication as soon as withdrawal is complete. You should always take it with food as this helps to prevent stomach upsets. Many people continue to take it for a year or more. Campral EC does not interact with alcohol - if you do "slip", continue taking the medication as prescribed and go back to the prescribing agency for extra advice and support.
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