What is Campral and What is the Drug Used for?

Campral is an alcoholism medication that also goes by the generic name, Acamprosate. This drug has been approved to help people stop drinking alcohol. Both Campral and Acamprosate come in a delayed release tablet. This allows the medication to be released into the body a little at a time. 

According to many Campral reviews, this drug has helped a lot of people. However, it may not work as well in someone who has already detoxed from alcohol.

This is important to keep in mind. If you have not been drinking for quite some time, Acamprosate might not be the medication for you. 

The Acamprosate manufacturer states that it’s best to start this drug once you have stopped drinking. Waiting too long could put you too far into alcohol withdrawal. At that point, other treatment possibilities may need to be explored.

Does Campral Help With Addiction and Alcoholism?

Acamprosate has been FDA approved to treat alcoholism. However, there is speculation that it may also work for people who are addicted to other drugs. For example, there are some medications that will help with both alcohol addiction and opiate addiction. It is possible that this drug might work the same way. Still, it has not been FDA approved for this use. Some doctors may prescribe it off-label for opioid addiction. 

Many people who have taken Acamprosate sing its praises as a great drug for alcoholism. They report less cravings when using this medication, and reduced alcohol intake overall.

Acamprosate Dosage Information for Alcoholics Trying to Quit

Most people will take two Campral 333mg tablets (for a total of 666mg) three times per day. However, Campral dosage amounts are solely determined by an individual’s weight. People who weigh less than 132 pounds would only need two doses per day.

When someone begins taking Acamprosate, they may be started on a lower dose at first. If higher doses are given to start, the individual may become tolerant of the drug too fast.

This can help to curb tolerability of the medication. Some patients are only started on half their normal daily dosage of Acamprosate. Their doctors may increase it slowly, over a period of weeks, until the full desired dosage of Campral is reached.

Additionally, Campral should be started as soon as a person stops drinking alcohol. There is no need to wait until alcohol withdrawal has stopped. If the individual relapses, the medication should not be discontinued.

Campral Side Effects According to Reviews and Others’ Experiences

Everyone reacts differently when they start taking Acamprosate. It’s important for you to know what side effects you should expect to experience. Many may be concerning for you. For instance you may wonder, does Campral cause weight gain?. You may also be curious about whether or not Campral side effects will go away. It’s important to get these questions answered. 

Fortunately, many of the side effects will eventually go away with continued use of Campral.

Can Campral be Abused or Cause Addiction?

The good news is that Campral is not a known drug of abuse. Taking Campral is not going to lead to an addiction. This is often enough to cause doctors to prescribe it regularly for those who suffer from alcoholism. Other medications may have addiction risks when taken by someone who is prone to addiction. However, this one does not.

It’s also important to mention that there is no risk of physical dependence to this drug.

This means that you don’t have to worry about going through Campral withdrawal when you stop taking it.

Supporting You During Your Alcohol Recovery

You should be applauded because of the fact that you’ve chosen to stop drinking. It was most likely very hard for you to make that decision. It is our hope, here at Northpoint Seattle, that we’ve been able to supply you with what you need. If you’re considering getting started with Campral Acamprosate, please talk with your doctor. He or she may be able to assist you, or have other options that might be better for you. 

Please know that there is no medication that is going to cure your alcoholism. The drug simply does not assist.

Even though Campral has its obvious benefits, it should never be considered to be a “wonder drug.” It is an excellent tool that should be used as a part of the recovery process. Other tools that will help you include individual counseling sessions and group therapy. These are so important in order for you to be successful long-term. 

Do you have questions about Campral, and whether or not it’s right for you? We’d love to answer your questions and help you get the right information. Please contact us right away.