Acamptas (Acamprosate Calcium 333mg)

Acamptas general information

What is Acamptas used for?

Acamptas tablets 333mg are used to treat alcohol dependence in conjunction with counselling to help maintain abstinence from alcohol and reduce withdrawal symptoms.  Alcohol dependence or alcoholism is long term uncontrolled use of large amounts of alcohol and is due to a physical and social dependence, which can lead to serious mental and physical health issues.  Warning signs of alcoholism include, drinking of large amounts of alcohol usually daily, starting each day with a drink, regularly drinking to intoxication, preoccupation with alcohol, interference with work/family/school and other responsibilities, allowing continued drinking to impact on relationships and health, desire to quit but failure to do so, loss of interest in personal hygiene/family/finances, short term memory loss and personality changes.  Eventually alcoholism leads to a physical addiction starting with tolerance then needing more for the same effect.  At this stage of addiction withdrawal symptoms will develop if drinking stops and drinking is used to prevent withdrawal.  Acamptas tablets 333mg can help treat alcoholism, but only in conjunction with social support, counselling and abstinence from alcohol.  However, Acamptas tablets 333mg do not cure the inability to control drinking or prevent harmful effects of continuous alcohol abuse.

How does Acamptas work?

Acamptas tablets 333mg contain acamprosate, a neuromodulator that is used to treat alcohol dependence.  A neuromodulator is a chemical that affects groups of nerve cells; whereas a neurotransmitter affects a single nerve cell (neurone) creating an electrical signal that transmits a message from cell to cell.  Acamprosate in Acamptas tablets 333mg has a chemical structure similar to gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), which is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter (chemical that allows nerve cells to communicate), also taurine, another small amino acid neurotransmitter in the brain which reduces transmission of nerve signals from the brain to other parts of the central nervous system.  Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.  Acamprosate in Acamptas tablets 333mg acts directly on the central nervous system and is thought to work by stabilising the brain chemistry that is altered due to alcohol dependence.  Alcohol dependency causes changes in the brain chemistry and starts with activation of the dopamine system, which is also known as the “feel good” or reward centre of the brain.  Eventually it takes more alcohol to stimulate dopamine release and if withdrawal sets in other neurotransmitter system come into play.  Normally the GABA/glutamate inhibitory/excitatory system is balanced, but is thought to be altered by chronic alcohol exposure.  Acamprosate in Acamptas tablets 333mg is thought to work by stimulating receptors in the brain for the GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission system, also stimulating taurine release, while inhibiting the glutaminergic excitatory neurotransmitter system¹.  This action of Acamprosate in Acamptas tablets 333mg is thought to restore the normal neurotransmitter activity altered by chronic alcohol exposure.  Withdrawal from alcohol causes a surge in excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate and blocking glutamate activity is thought to contribute to the mechanism by which Acamprosate in Acamptas tablets 333mg helps reduce the overstimulated state, which contributes to withdrawal symptoms, and thereby helps maintain alcohol abstinence.

What does Acamptas contain?

Acamptas tablets 333mg contains the active ingredient acamprosate, a neuromodulator that is used to treat alcohol dependence.

Treating alcohol dependence with Acamptas

Acamptas tablets 333mg contain acamprosate, a neuromodulator that is used to treat alcohol dependence, in conjunction with counselling, to help maintain abstinence from alcohol and reduce withdrawal symptoms.  Alcohol dependence or alcoholism is long term uncontrolled use of large amounts of alcohol and is due to a physical and social dependence, which can lead to serious mental and physical health issues.  Acamprosate in Acamptas tablets 333mg acts directly on the central nervous system and is thought to work by stabilising the brain chemistry that is altered due to alcohol dependence, particularly the GABA/glutamate inhibitory/excitatory system which is normally balanced, but is thought to be altered by chronic alcohol exposure.  Acamptas tablets 333mg can help treat alcoholism, but only in conjunction with social support, counselling and abstinence from alcohol.  However, Acamptas tablets 333mg do not cure the inability to control drinking or prevent harmful effects of continuous alcohol abuse.

What are the side effects of Acamptas?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Acamptas tablets 333mg include, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, pruritus (itching), maculo-papular rash (small spots), decreased libido, impotence.

When should Acamptas not be used?

You should not use Acamptas tablets 333mg if you:

• are allergic to acamprosate or any ingredients in Acamptas
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease

How should Acamptas be taken?

You should take your Acamptas tablets 333mg swallowed whole with a glass of water and with meals, three times, daily morning noon and night.  The dose you take depends on your body weight and should be as recommended by your doctor.  You should start taking your Acamptas tablets 333mg as soon as possible after the withdrawal period when you stop taking any alcohol.  You should continue to take your Acamptas tablets 333mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which is usually for one year. 

How long should you take Acamptas?

You should continue to take your Acamptas tablets 333mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which is usually for one year. 

Missed dose of Acamptas

If you miss a dose of Acamptas tablets 333mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Acamptas be stored?

You should store your Acamptas tablets 333mg below 25°C in a cool dry place. 

References

1. Mason BJ, and Heyser CJ. Acamprosate: A prototypic neuromodulator in the treatment of alcohol dependence CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2010 March ; 9(1): 23–32.