Acamprosate Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 22, 2024.

Applies to acamprosate: oral tablet delayed release.

Serious side effects of acamprosate

Along with its needed effects, acamprosate may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking acamprosate:

More common

• extreme feeling of sadness or emptiness
• fear
• severe depression

Symptoms of Overdose

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking acamprosate:

• abdominal pain
• confusion
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• headache
• incoherent speech
• increased urination
• metallic taste
• muscle weakness
• nausea
• thirst
• unusual tiredness
• vomiting
• weight loss

Other side effects of acamprosate

Some side effects of acamprosate may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• discouragement
• feeling sad
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lack or loss of strength
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nervousness
• sleeplessness
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

Less common

• accidental injury
• bloated or full feeling
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
• itching skin
• pain
• passing gas
• sweating

For healthcare professionals

Applies to acamprosate: oral delayed release tablet.

General

The most commonly reported side effects included diarrhea, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and asthenia.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (up to 17%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysphagia, eructation, esophagitis, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematemesis, nausea and vomiting, pancreatitis, rectal hemorrhage
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abdomen enlarged, ascites, cholecystitis, colitis, duodenal ulcer, increased salivation, melena, mouth ulceration, stomach ulcer^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Amnesia, dizziness, headache, paresthesia, somnolence, syncope, taste perversion, tremor
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Convulsion, hypesthesia, migraine, neuralgia, vertigo
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Encephalopathy, hyperkinesia, twitching^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal thinking, anxiety, depression, insomnia, libido decreased, suicide attempt
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal dreams, agitation, apathy, confusion, hallucinations, hostility, intentional injury, intentional overdose, libido increased, neurosis, suicidal ideation, withdrawal syndrome
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alcohol craving, depersonalization, manic reaction, paranoid reaction, psychosis
• Frequency not reported: Nervousness^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, hypertension, palpitations, peripheral edema, vasodilation
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angina pectoris, hemorrhage, hypotension, myocardial infarct, phlebitis, postural hypotension, tachycardia, varicose vein
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Cardiomyopathy, deep thrombophlebitis, heart failure, mesenteric arterial occlusion, shock^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, cough increased, dyspnea, pharyngitis, rhinitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma, epistaxis, pneumonia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Laryngismus, pulmonary embolus^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, maculopapular rash, rash, sweating
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acne, alopecia, dry skin, ecchymosis, eczema, exfoliative dermatitis, urticaria, vesiculobullous rash/vesiculobullous eruptions
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Face edema, photosensitivity reaction, psoriasis^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Accidental injury, asthenia, chills, pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Deafness, fever, hernia, malaise, tinnitus
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Sudden death^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, increased appetite, weight gain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Avitaminosis, diabetes mellitus, gout, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, thirst, weight loss
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hyponatremia, lactic dehydrogenase increased^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, back pain, myalgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Leg cramps, neck pain
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Myopathy, rheumatoid arthritis, torticollis
• Frequency not reported: Fracture^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Frigidity, impotence
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Metrorrhagia, sexual function abnormal, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary tract infection, vaginitis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal ejaculation, hematuria, menorrhagia, nocturia, polyuria, urinary urgency^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Flu syndrome, infection
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abscess^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amblyopia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Diplopia, ophthalmitis, photophobia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): ALT increased, AST increased, bilirubinemia, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver function tests abnormal
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alkaline phosphatase increased^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, eosinophilia, lymphocytosis, thrombocytopenia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Leukopenia, lymphadenopathy, monocytosis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reaction
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylactic reactions, angioedema, hypersensitivity reactions^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Creatinine increased, kidney calculus
• Postmarketing reports: Acute kidney failure^[Ref]

Acute kidney failure was reported in 3 patients and was temporally associated with treatment.^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Goiter, hypothyroidism^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Carcinoma of liver^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• Acamprosate vs naltrexone: How do they compare?
• Does acamprosate make you sick if you drink alcohol?
• How long does it take for acamprosate to work?
• Does acamprosate cause weight gain?
• How does acamprosate work?

Further information

Acamprosate side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer