Acamprosate. A review of its pharmacology and clinical potential in the management of alcohol dependence after detoxification

Drugs
M I Wilde, A J Wagstaff

Abstract

Acamprosate (calcium acetylhomotaurinate), a synthetic compound with a similar chemical structure to that of gamma-aminobutyric acid, is thought to act via several mechanisms affecting multiple neurotransmitter systems; inhibition of neuronal hyperexcitability by antagonism of excitatory amino acid activity and reduction of calcium ion fluxes has been suggested as its predominant mechanism of action. The drug is the first agent specifically designed to maintain abstinence in alcohol (ethanol)-dependent patients after detoxification. Voluntary oral ethanol consumption in ethanol-preferring or ethanol-dependent rats is dose-dependently reduced by acamprosate: total fluid intake and food consumption are not affected. The drug does not potentiate the acute or chronic toxic effects of ethanol and has no hypnotic, antidepressant, anxiolytic or muscle-relaxant effects in animals. There is no evidence of abuse potential with acamprosate. Oral acamprosate 1.3 or 2 g/day in 3 divided doses administered for 3 to 12 months to alcohol-dependent patients after detoxification was more effective than placebo in preventing alcohol relapse according to abstinence rates, duration of abstinence, gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and/or a variety o...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 5, 2005·Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology·Anna Piorunska-MikolajczakEwa Kaminska
Sep 29, 2005·The American Journal on Addictions·Debasish BasuSurendra K Mattoo
Dec 1, 2006·Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment·Tara M Wright, Hugh Myrick
Feb 4, 2011·Neuropsychopharmacology : Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology·John C UmhauMarkus Heilig
Jun 24, 2011·American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology·Allison BragerJ David Glass
Dec 22, 2009·Expert Opinion on Drug Safety·Barbara J Mason, Charles J Heyser
Aug 5, 2018·BMC Neuroscience·Lenin David Ochoa-de la PazRosario Gulias-Cañizo
Feb 28, 2020·Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy·Lauren E HoodM Foster Olive
Aug 7, 2002·The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology·P N DeslandesR D E Sewell
Feb 20, 2004·The American Journal on Addictions·Michael Soyka, Jonathan Chick
Aug 18, 2006·Behavioural Pharmacology·Andrew J Mcgeehan, Michael Foster Olive
Nov 14, 2007·Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics·Barbara J Mason, Rebecca Crean
Oct 1, 2004·Acta Neuropsychiatrica·F KieferK Wiedemann
Jul 15, 2004·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Susan M BrasserElisabeth J Houtsmuller
Jan 4, 2001·Substance Use & Misuse·B K Boyarsky, E F McCance-Katz
Sep 1, 2002·Substance Abuse : Official Publication of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse·Michael F Fleming
Jan 1, 2010·Journal of Amino Acids·Mohammadreza Ghandforoush-SattariPhilipp A Routledge
Dec 4, 2003·CNS Drug Reviews·Teodoro ZornozaLuis Granero
Feb 28, 2006·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Bankole A JohnsonNassima Ait-Daoud
Mar 22, 2007·Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research·Darin J KnappGeorge R Breese
Mar 21, 2000·The American Journal of Medicine·D A FiellinP G O'Connor
Dec 11, 2003·Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America·Michael P Bogenschutz, Cynthia M A Geppert
Aug 25, 2005·Clinical Therapeutics·Lisa A Boothby, Paul L Doering

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.