Safety and Efficacy of Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

Stephanie L. Yahn; Lucas R. Watterson; M. Foster Olive

doi:10.4137/SART.S9345

Safety and Efficacy of Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

Stephanie L. Yahn, Lucas R. Watterson, M. Foster Olive

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original language	English (US)
Journal	Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment
Volume	7
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4137/SART.S9345
State	Published - Jan 2013
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

acamprosate
alcoholism
amino acid
craving
dependence
glutamate
pharmacotherapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Psychiatry and Mental health

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10.4137/SART.S9345

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title = "Safety and Efficacy of Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence",

abstract = "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.",

keywords = "acamprosate, alcoholism, amino acid, craving, dependence, glutamate, pharmacotherapy",

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language = "English (US)",

volume = "7",

journal = "Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment",

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T1 - Safety and Efficacy of Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

AU - Yahn, Stephanie L.

AU - Watterson, Lucas R.

AU - Olive, M. Foster

PY - 2013/1

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - acamprosate

KW - alcoholism

KW - amino acid

KW - craving

KW - dependence

KW - glutamate

KW - pharmacotherapy

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DO - 10.4137/SART.S9345

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JO - Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment

JF - Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment

ER -

Safety and Efficacy of Acamprosate for the Treatment of Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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