Safety and efficacy of acamprosate for the treatment of alcohol dependence.

Subst Abuse

Department of Psychology, Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.

Published: February 2013

Acamprosate (calcium acetylhomotaurine) is an amino acid modulator that has displayed efficacy in some clinical trials in reducing craving and promoting abstinence in alcohol dependent patients following detoxification. While acamprosate is safe and generally well-tolerated, not all studies have demonstrated clinical efficacy that is superior to placebo. In addition, the precise neurochemical mechanisms of action of acamprosate have still not yet been identified. In this review, we summarize current clinical data on the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic properties of acamprosate, as well theories on its potential mechanism of action. We also discuss tolerability and patient preference issues and conclude with a discussion of the place of acamprosate in addiction medicine and therapy.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3565569PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.4137/SART.S9345DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

safety efficacy
8
acamprosate
6
efficacy acamprosate
4
acamprosate treatment
4
treatment alcohol
4
alcohol dependence
4
dependence acamprosate
4
acamprosate calcium
4
calcium acetylhomotaurine
4
acetylhomotaurine amino
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!