Campral

Campral is a medication used in conjunction with counseling to help alcohol-dependent individuals never to drink again. Thus, Campral is part of a comprehensive alcohol dependence treatment program, and a person should have stopped drinking alcohol before beginning to take Campral.

What is Campral and How Does it Work?

Campral is the brand name of Acamprosate, a drug belonging to the alcohol-abstinence aid class of medications. The medicine helps to maintain abstinence in alcohol-dependent individuals who recently quit drinking. While Campral does not prevent or treat withdrawal symptoms, it reduces the urge to drink when used alongside behavioral therapy.

Campral works by modulating and restoring the balance of certain brain chemicals whose levels get deranged in alcohol dependence. The medicine might not be effective if a person has not undergone detox and altogether quit drinking. Again, Campral might not work for people abusing other substances.

What Does Campral Treat?

Campral (Acamprosate) is used as part of a comprehensive alcohol dependence treatment program to maintain abstinence in alcohol-dependent individuals who have recently stopped drinking. The drug is approved for use by adults between 18-65 years.

Treatment with Campral should begin as soon as possible after the withdrawal period and continue even if the patient relapses. However, sustained drinking negates the therapeutic benefits of acamprosate. As such, only start using acamprosate after detox (weaning therapy). The recommended treatment period is one year.

How to Use Campral (Acamprosate)

Before starting Campral therapy, carefully read the patient information leaflet provided by the pharmacist. If anything is unclear, consult the healthcare provider.

Take this medication exactly as the doctor prescribes, usually three times a day with or without food. Use Campral regularly for optimum therapeutic benefit. For those taking three meals a day, swallowing the pills every mealtime helps maintain compliance.

Swallow the Acamprosate tablets whole; do not chew, crush or split them. Although the recommended dose is usually two tablets, taken thrice daily, the doctor might prescribe a different dose depending on the body weight, comorbid medical conditions, and medications. For instance, those with kidney disease usually require lower doses.

Note: Do not take higher or lower than the prescribed amount unless instructed by the healthcare provider. Adhere to the doctor’s instructions and take the drug for only the recommended period. Using Campral in excess or beyond the directed duration increases the risk of side effects.

Missed doses can be taken as soon as remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take double the amount to compensate for a missed dose; instead, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule.

Sometimes, relapse can occur when using Campral. In case of such, continue taking the drug and inform the doctor promptly.

Store Campral at room temperature and away from direct sunlight and moisture.

Form and Dosage

Campral comes as a delayed-release, enteric-coated tablet containing 333 mg of acamprosate calcium. Individuals weighing 60k or more should take 2 tablets thrice daily (2 in the morning, 2 at noon, and 2 in the evening), while those weighing less than 60 kg take 4 tablets in a day (2 in the morning, 1 at noon and 1 in the evening).

Possible Side Effects of Campral

Side effects refer to the undesired responses that occur even when taking the drug in the recommended doses. Every medication has side effects which can be mild or severe, reversible or irreversible.

Although Campral has potential unwanted effects, not everyone who uses the medicine experiences these undesired responses. Before beginning treatment, it is essential to discuss the risks and benefits of the drug with the healthcare provider. Typically, doctors prescribe Campral because the benefits outweigh the risks.

Do not be alarmed by the side effects of acamprosate, as many of them are mild and can be managed or will resolve spontaneously. Common Campral side effects, occurring in at least 1 of 100 users, include:

• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• flatulence (gas)
• decreased libido or changes in sexual desire
• dry mouth
• nausea and vomiting
• skin rash and itchiness
• weight changes

While these common unwanted effects are usually mild and disappear as the body gets used to the medication, some might persist or worsen. If this occurs, inform the doctor promptly.

Campral also has rare but potentially serious side effects that usually require immediate medical attention if they occur.

• Signs and symptoms of depression such as the feeling of sadness, loss of interest in daily activities, and poor concentration
• Suicidal tendencies, including thoughts and acts of self-harm
• Allergic reaction. Stop taking Campral and immediately report to the doctor if you develop a hypersensitivity reaction characterized by rash, difficulty breathing, itching, and swelling of the face, throat, or lips

Some people might experience symptoms different from those listed here. If any weird symptom occurs when using Campral, tell your doctor or report it to the relevant body, such as the FDA.

Precautions and Warnings

Before taking any drug, inform the healthcare provider of any significant facts about your health, including medical conditions, drug allergies, and current medications. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also let the doctor know of their status. 

When using acamprosate, you should beware of the following:

• Depression and suicide- Although rare, acamprosate can cause or worsen depression, with some individuals developing suicidal tendencies. Symptoms of depression include low mood or feelings of sadness, loss of interest in previously exciting activities, sleeping disturbances, and feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness. Contact the doctor immediately if these symptoms or thoughts of inflicting self-harm occur while taking Campral.
• Kidney problems- Impaired kidney function affects the metabolism of the Campral. Thus, those with mild to moderate kidney disease should take lower doses of acamprosate with close monitoring by the doctor. However, individuals with severe diseases should not use this medication.
• Impaired coordination- while it is not clear how Campral affects coordination, it is recommended that anyone using the drug should avoid operating machinery or driving until they know how it influences them.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding- pregnant women should not use Campral unless the doctor determines the benefits outweigh the risks. Contact the healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking the drug. Again, breastfeeding mothers should not use this medication as it might pass into breast milk and affect the baby.
• Children and adults above 65- The safety and efficacy of acamprosate in the extremes of age have not been determined. For that reason, individuals below 18 and those above 65 should not use this medication unless under close monitoring by the provider.

Note: Campral does not prevent, reduce or eliminate the withdrawal symptoms, such as tremors and agitation that occur when an alcohol-dependent individual suddenly stops drinking. It also does not treat the negative effects of continuous alcohol abuse. Do not use acamprosate before detox therapy.

Drug Interactions

Other medications, including prescribed, over-the-counter medications, can affect how Campral works or worsen its side effects. Tell the doctor about the current medications to help prevent such interactions. Examples of medicines that interact with Campral (acamprosate) include;

• Acetylsalicylic acid
• Acyclovir

Contraindications

• Allergy to acamprosate or inactive ingredients of the medication
• Severe kidney disease
• Breastfeeding mothers

Alternatives to Campral

• Naltrexone
• Vivitrol

Buying Campral from a Trusted Online Shop

Kiwi Drug offers affordable access to all medications to people on all continents. Subject to industry regulations, Kiwi uses professional pharmacists to ensure the clients receive the best services and maintain optimum quality of life. Campral is a prescription-only medication. However, you must not have a pre-written prescription to purchase from Kiwi Drug. The online doctor service allows one of the certified doctors on the platform to review your medical profile and prescribe Campral appropriately. Thus, purchasing Vitaros from Kiwi Drug, with or without a prescription, is straightforward and quick. It involves:

• Signing up and adding Campral to the cart
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• Answering the questions presented on the next page
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