What is Acamprosate Calcium: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 6, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Acamprosate Calcium overview

BRAND NAMES:

Generic Names:

  • Acamprosate Calcium

Uses:

  • Helps decrease the desire to drink alcohol.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Ethanol Dependency

Forms:

  • Coated Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Acamprosate Calcium used for?

What form(s) does Acamprosate Calcium come in

  • Coated Tablet

What are common Acamprosate Calcium doses?

  • Tablet 333mg

Common Acamprosate Calcium prescriptions

  • Acamprosate Calcium
    333mg tablet

  • Acamprosate Calcium
    333mg tablet delayed release

How to take Acamprosate Calcium

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Extended-release tablet: Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Oral routeIt is best to take this medicine with food or milk.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Extended-release tablet: Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

What to do if you miss a dose of Acamprosate Calcium

Acamprosate Calcium contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to acamprosate.

Acamprosate Calcium warnings

  • Tell your doctor if you start drinking alcohol again while you are taking this medicine. The medicine will not prevent withdrawal symptoms if you start and stop drinking again.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease.

  • This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Unusual behavior, anxiety, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Acamprosate Calcium interactions

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease.

  • This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Tell your doctor if you start drinking alcohol again while you are taking this medicine. The medicine will not prevent withdrawal symptoms if you start and stop drinking again.

Acamprosate Calcium side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

  • Unusual behavior, anxiety, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself

  • Lightheadedness or fainting

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches

  • Decrease in how much or how often you urinate

  • Chest pain, fast heartbeat, or trouble breathing

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Rapid weight gain, swelling in your face, hands, ankles, or feet

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Headache, back pain, or dry mouth

  • Warmth or redness in your face, neck, chest, or arms

  • Joint or muscle pain, skin rash or itching

  • Change in your vision or taste

  • Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, mild stomach pain, increase in appetite

Subscribe to our savings newsletter

Health education, drug info, wellness & more

By clicking 'Subscribe', I agree to SingleCare's Terms & Conditions.