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Campral®
Strengthens your will to say “NO” so you can be there for
yourself and others
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On July 29, 2004, the FDA approved Campral® (acamprosate calcium)
Delayed-Release Tablets for the maintenance of abstinence from alcohol
in patients with alcohol dependence. The approval brings an important
new medicine to the aid of those committed to beating alcohol dependence.
It is not required for a patient to be abstinent at the time of treatment initiation.
This is the first new medication for the treatment of alcohol dependence
in almost a decade. Campral is different from other currently available
medications, which either block the "high" associated with
alcohol, or induce vomiting and other adverse effects if alcohol is
ingested. Campral helps reduce the physical and emotional discomfort
(e.g. sweating, anxiety, sleep disturbances) many people feel in the
weeks and months after they've stopped drinking. This makes it easier
for them not to drink after the immediate withdrawal period.
In both studies and in real-world use, Campral has been proven to help maintain complete abstinence and reduce the number and severity of relapses for up to 3 times more alcohol-dependent patients than an inactive medicine (placebo).
When taken by persons motivated to stop drinking and participate in treatment, Campral has demonstrated successes that counseling programs alone have not. Assisted Recovery clients find they’re able to attain and better maintain their sobriety over the long term.
Campral is safe and well-tolerated
You can take comfort in the fact that Campral has been used by over
1.5 million patients worldwide. Campral can be taken along with many
commonly prescribed medications, including anxiolytics, hypnotics and
sedatives, pain-killers and anti-depressants.
In studies, some people experienced side effects; however, this caused few of them to stop taking Campral. The most common side effect, diarrhea, usually resolved with time.
Campral has been shown to have no addiction potential.
Some FAQs about Campral:
Q: How do I know if I am a candidate for Campral
A: Campral is for people who are alcohol dependent, not for those who
abuse alcohol. You must be committed to abstaining from alcohol and
abstinent when you begin treatment with Campral. Campral is prescribed
by our program Medical Director, Dr. Samual Walker, NMD
Q: Will Campral make me stop drinking?
A: Campral will not prevent you from drinking. Only you can do that.
But it will make it possible for you to resist drinking and get yourself
going along the road to recovery.
Q: How does Campral help me maintain abstinence?
A: As is true of many medicines, we do not know exactly how Campral
works. Currently, researchers believe that Campral acts on the complex
processes of the nervous system and in particular, the amino acids,
by restoring a balance that was altered by continued alcohol consumption.
Q: Is Campral addictive?
A: No. Campral is not addictive, either emotionally or physically and
can be discontinued at any time without adverse effects. Campral is
not a controlled substance.
Q: How long do I need to take Campral?
A: Experience has shown Campral is effective and safe. Our recommendation
is to take Campral for one year.
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