Acamprosate is used to help you reduce the desire to drink alcohol. Learn how to use the medication, its common side effects, special precautions to watch out for, and more.

What is this medication for?

Acamprosate is used to help you reduce the desire to drink alcohol. It is usually used along with counselling to help you stay away from drinking alcohol.

Acamprosate may be used for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Take your medication according to the instructions stated on the medication label.
• Acamprosate may be taken with or without food. You may take it with meals if this helps you in remembering to take it.
• If you are taking the enteric coated tablet, swallow the tablet whole, do NOT chew or crush it. This formulation of acamprosate helps to reduce stomach upset caused by this medication.
• Do not stop taking or adjust the dose of this medication without checking with your doctor, even if you have gone back to drinking alcohol.
• Do check with your doctor on how long you will have to be on this medication.
• Do not share the medication with other people.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if more than half of the time to the next dose has passed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual timing.
• For example, for a medication to be taken two times daily at 8am and 8pm, and you missed your first dose at 8am, skip the first dose if it is after 2pm, and take your second dose at the usual timing at 8pm. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your doctor would have discussed the potential benefits and side-effects with you and should you have further questions or concerns, do consult your doctor.
• You are taking any other medications (including those that can be bought without a prescription), supplements,  traditional medications and herbal remedies. Some of them may affect how this medication works or cause serious drug interactions.
• You have or have ever had: 
  • Other drug allergies
  • Heart, kidney or liver disease
  • Previous thoughts or attempts to end your life, with or without having depression

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of Acamprosate, call 995 at once for emergency help.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

• Diarrhoea
  •  Drink more water to replace the loss of fluids
• Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
  • Take the medication with or after food
  • Take small but more frequent meals, and avoid fatty or spicy food
• Difficulty sleeping
  • Discuss with your doctor if you can take your medication at a different time of the day
  • Listen to relaxing music at bedtime
  • Avoid eating or drinking too much before bedtime
  • Limit caffeine intake (such as coffee, tea or energy drinks) at least 8 hours before bedtime
• Feeling tired, weakness

Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time. Speak with your doctor if any of them continues, worsens or affects your daily life.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following: 

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Rarely this medication may cause:

• Fast or uneven heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath  (signs and symptoms of cardiomyopathy)
• Changes in how much or how often you urinate
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or body aches (signs and symptoms of an infection)
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your face, hands, ankles, or feet (signs and symptoms of heart failure)
• Changes in mood or behaviour, thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Acamprosate. Although taking with alcohol does not produce an unpleasant reaction, it may reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. 

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

What else should I know about this medication?

There are certain restrictions in the supply of Acamprosate, as it is not available in community/retail pharmacies and is only available in selected healthcare institutions via prescription from in-house doctors. Please check with your healthcare provider if they are able to supply it.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
 

Last updated on Feb 2025