Campral (Acamprosate Calcium) modulates glutamate neurotransmission.
It regulates and balances the abnormal neurotransmission that has been caused by excessive alcohol use.
It is primarily used to avoid the adverse alcohol withdrawal effects.
Campral uses:
- It is used in the treatment of patients with alcohol dependence. It should be used in motivated patients along with family and social support and frequent counseling.
- However, it is not considered to be very effective especially in less motivated individuals with little family and social support.
What happens if the individual is drinking while taking Campral?
- Alcohol reduces the efficacy of Acamprosate calcium. If the person is drinking while taking Campral may notice an excessive craving for alcohol.
- However, threre are no significant drug-drug interactions between alcohol and Acamprosate calcium.
Campral 333 and 666 mg dosing:
Adult 18–65 years with a body-weight up to 60 kg:
- Campral 666 mg once a day at breakfast and 333 mg twice daily at midday and at night
Adult 18–65 years with a body-weight 60 kg and above:
- Campral 666 mg 3 times a day
Dose in Children:
It is not indicated for use in children.
Acamprosate calcium dosage in renal disease:
Cl cr 30-50 mL/minute:
- campral 333 mg 3 times/day
Cl cr <30 mL/minute:
- Contraindicated in severe renal impairment. (Avoid if serum-creatinine greater than 1.35 mg/dl)
Dose in Liver disease:
- Acamprosate calcium should be avoided in severe liver disease.
How to administer Acamprosate calcium?
- Abstinence is required during treatment.
- May be taken without regard to meals. Each 333 mg tablet contains 33 mg of elemental calcium.
Pregnancy Risk Factor: C
(The manufacturer advises avoiding unless the potential benefit outweighs the risk)
- Teratogenic effects have been shown in animal studies. However, studies on pregnant women have not been done.
Acamprosate calcium use during Lactation:
- Lactation should not be done with Acamprosate as there is very little data on its excretion in breastmilk.
Campral side effects (Common):
- Abdominal pain,
- diarrhea,
- flatulence,
- frigidity,
- impotence,
- maculopapular rash,
- nausea,
- pruritus,
- vomiting
Campral side effects (uncommon):
- Angioedema,
- hypersensitivity reactions,
- urticaria
Frequency not known:
- Fluctuation in libido,
- vesiculobullous skin reactions.
Mechanism of Action of Campral (Acamprosate calcium):
- Mechanism is not completely understood. Acamprosate has a structural similarity to gamma aminobutyric acid, (GABA).
- It appears to increase activity within the GABA-ergic system and decrease activity inside the CNS glutamate-ergic system, including decreases in N-methyl D–aspartate (NMDA) receptors.
- GABA/Glutamate activity that appears to have been affected by alcohol dependence.
Half-life elimination:
- 20-33 hours
Excretion:
- Acamprosate is excreted in the urine as unchanged drug.
International Brands of Acamprosate:
Campral (Merck) [/bg_collapse]
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