Acamprosate is an alcohol abstinence -promoting drug widely used in the treatment of alcohol dependence but which has a mechanism of action that has remained obscure for many years. Recently, evidence has emerged that acamprosate  may interact with excitatory glutamatergic neurotransmission in general and as an antagonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) in particular. The glutamatergic hypothesis of the mechanism of action of acamprosate helps explain many of its effects in human alcohol dependence.
   For alcohol abstinence, consider learning more about an herb called kudzu. Kudzu is available as a supplement and is available at Kudzu.

Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Once or twice a month you will receive an email with a review of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, including acamprosate and alcohol abstinence, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Acamprosate drug
Acamprosate (Campral delayed-release tablet), a synthetic compound with a similar structure to that of the neurotransmitter GABA and the neuromodulator taurine, facilitates the maintenance of abstinence in detoxified alcohol-dependent patients.

How acamprosate works
Although the precise mechanism (s) of action of acamprosate remains to be fully understood, it appears that it most likely involves beneficial modulation of the glutamatergic neurotransmitter system, to counteract the imbalance between the glutamatergic and GABA ergic systems associated with chronic alcohol exposure and alcohol withdrawal.

Acamprosate research
In several double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of up to 12 months' duration, acamprosate effectively maintained complete abstinence in detoxified alcohol-dependent patients, irrespective of disease severity or the type of psychosocial support. Acamprosate showed better efficacy than placebo and was well tolerated. Limited data from a relatively well designed trial indicate that acamprosate has similar efficacy to that of naltrexone and that combination therapy with these two agents provides better efficacy than acamprosate monotherapy. Acamprosate may be particularly useful in those with hepatic impairment and/or liver disease. Thus, in combination with psychosocial and behavioural management programs, acamprosate is a promising option for the maintenance of abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients after alcohol withdrawal.

Acamprosate questions
Q. Can acomprosate be taken the same day as tribulus terrestris extraxt?
   A. We prefer not to mix potent herbs and drugs the same day, unexpected reactions could occur.

For additional links
Multivitamin information
Hoodia information

acamprosate tinnitus
acamprosate calcium