Acamprosate

Description

CAMPRAL (Acamprosate)

Campral Information

Campral is a drug also known under the name of Acamprosate. This drug’s main purpose is to affect some of the brain’s unbalanced chemicals. These chemicals usually result from alcoholism (in the cases of patients dependent of alcohol) or from too much alcohol intake.

Campral Indications

Campral is a drug normally prescribed in the treatment of alcoholics (it is meant to help them stop drinking alcoholic drinks). In order for the patient to gain the best results from his treatment with Campral (also known as Acamprosate) it is recommended that this drug should be accompanied by at least one treatment program (preferably one that includes support and even counseling).

Campral Warnings/Precautions

You should not start taking Campral on your own. Discuss it with your doctor before you start any treatment of this kind.
Campral is a Category C FDA Pregnancy drug. Therefore it has not been clearly established whether Campral can harm a fetus. If you are pregnant (or are planning to be so soon) it is best that you consult with your physician before you start a treatment with Campral. It is known that this drug can (and does) pass into breast milk, so you should talk to a doctor before taking this drug if you are breast feeding an infant.

Campral Intake Instructions

Follow the exact instructions that your doctor has given you regarding your treatment with Campral. If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, a pharmacist or a nurse.

You should take in each dose of this drug with a glass of water. Campral is not known to be a stomach irritant. Therefore you can try taking it on an empty stomach. If you start having stomach cramps, try taking the drug with milk or food. Campral is usually prescribed to be taken from 2 to 3 times each day. You can take them with each of your daily meals (this might help you remember to take the drug).

In order to get all the benefits out of your treatment with Campral, you should take in this drug regularly. Do not stop your treatment with Campral without first discussing it with your personal doctor.

Campral Missed Dose

Avoid taking a double dose of Campral if you have not been instructed by your personal physician to do so. Try not to miss any of your scheduled doses of Campral. However, if you happen to miss one, take it as soon as possible. If it is about time for another of your scheduled doses, try and skip the dose that you have missed and continue with you normal treatment schedule.

Campral Overdose

If you think you are suffering from overdose with Campral and if you are experiencing any unusual or bothersome symptoms (for example diarrhea) you are in need of immediate medical attention. Contact one of you local poison control centers and inform your doctor immediately.

Campral Side Effects

Taking Campral may result in some of these side effects:

• Allergic reactions (like throat closing, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or hives)
• Dizziness
• Low blood pressure
• Weakness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Severe headaches
• Chills
• Blurred vision
• Fever
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal bruising or bleeding
• Rash

If you are experiencing these side effects stop your treatment and inform your physician.
Campral can also induce other side effects (more common and less serious) such as:

headache, anxiety, nervousness or tremor
Stomach pain, increased appetite, constipation or weight gain
Tremor, amnesia, flushing, abnormal thinking
Difficulty in tasting, abnormal vision
Impotence or decreased sex drive
These mild side effects shouldn’t stop you from continuing with your treatment. However, you should inform your physician at once.

There are other mild side effects that can also occur if you are taking Acamprosate. Immediately inform your physician if you feel anything disturbing or unusual.

Campral Drug Interactions

Campral is known to interact with a great variety of drugs available in pharmacies around the world. It is best that you stop taking any other drugs except Campral during your treatment with Acamprosate. If you are in desperate need of taking any type of medicines (even if they are simple over-the-counter drugs such as minerals and vitamins or well known herbal products) you should ask for your personal physician’s consent. Follow his instructions step by step.