Glutamate modulator (anti-craving)
Acamprosate calcium
Brand names: Campral EC
Adult dose
Dose: ≥60 kg: 666 mg TDS; <60 kg: 666 mg morning, 333 mg midday, 333 mg evening
Route: Oral
Frequency: TDS
Clinical pearls
- Maintain abstinence in alcohol dependence; start ASAP after detox; continue ≥6 months
- Combine with psychosocial support
Contraindications
- Severe hepatic impairment
- CrCl <30 mL/min
- Breastfeeding
Side effects
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Pruritus
- Mood disturbance
Interactions
- Naltrexone (raises levels but generally tolerated)
Monitoring
- LFTs, U&E
- Mental state
Reference: BNF; NICE CG115; SmPC Campral. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
- Hyperkalaemia Management Algorithm · Electrolyte Disorders
- Revised Original International Autoimmune Hepatitis Score (IAIHG) · Autoimmune Liver Disease
- Ho Index for Predicting Response to Medical Therapy in IBD · Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Rh(D) Immune Globulin Dosage for Maternal-Fetal Haemorrhage · Haematology in Pregnancy
- AREDS Classification of Age-related Macular Degeneration · Macular Degeneration
- Diabetic Macular Oedema (DMO) Classification · Diabetic Retinopathy
Pathways
- Acute Behavioural Disturbance / Rapid Tranquillisation · RCEM 2022; RCPsych 2022; NICE NG10
- Self-Harm Presentation · NICE NG225 (2022)
- Capacity Assessment (Mental Capacity Act) · MCA 2005; Code of Practice
- Acute Psychosis Management · NICE CG178 2014
- Depression Management · NICE CG90 2022
- Lithium Therapy Monitoring · NICE CG185 / BNF