Possible Interaction: Ethanol and Acamprosate

“ResultsThe results showed that acamprosate attenuated the subjective craving induced by alcohol priming in comparison to placebo-treated patients.”

“In vitro studies suggest that the excitotoxicity produced by ethanol can effectively be blocked by acamprosate.”

“ Acamprosate , a drug used during human alcohol detoxification, is able to completely block the glutamate increase observed during the first as well as the third withdrawal of ethanol.”

“Currently, the best explanation for the effects of acamprosate seems to be that it inhibits the glutamatergic transmitter system involved in both the negative reinforcing effects of alcohol and the conditioned "pseudo-withdrawal" that may be important in cue-induced relapse.”

“BACKGROUND Acamprosate has been found to enhance rates of complete abstinence and to increase percent days abstinent (PDA) from alcohol relative to placebo treatment.”

“Benzodiazepines, clomethiazole, tiagabine, vigabatrin, pregabalin, gabapentin, acamprosate , naltrexone, GHB, topiramate, ondansetron and baclofen at low dose (≤1 mg/kg, the dose range used in randomized trials in humans: 30 and 60 mg/day) have all been shown to at best reduce motivation to consume alcohol in rats.”

“For alcoholism, disulfiram, accamprosate , and naltrexone help prevent or limit reuse of alcohol.”

“Preclinical studies indicate that acamprosate , a FDA approved drug for relapse prevention in detoxified alcoholic patients, reduces the glutamatergic hyperactivity triggered by ethanol withdrawal without depressing normal glutamatergic transmission.”

“Recent studies in animals have suggested that acamprosate may have non-selective effects on craving for both alcohol and food.”

“Our results suggest that acamprosate may play a role in reduction of craving for alcohol after 6 weeks of treatment.”