AI Summary Campral (acamprosate) is a prescription delayed-release tablet that helps maintain abstinence and reduce post-withdrawal cravings in people recovering from alcohol use disorder.
Medically reviewed.
Campral (acamprosate) is a prescription delayed-release tablet used to help people recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) stay alcohol-free. It helps stabilize brain chemistry disrupted by long-term alcohol use and reduces cravings after withdrawal. It does not cause dependence or intoxication. Campral supports recovery from AUD rather than treating liver damage directly. Treatment decisions should always be individualized and guided by a healthcare professional.
This page covers Campral's role in AUD care — how it works, who may be eligible, how it is used, benefits, side effects, and liver and kidney safety. You can also connect with a liver specialist near you for personalized guidance.
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ABOUT CAMPRAL TREATMENT
Campral is a prescription medicine that contains acamprosate. It is used to help people recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) maintain abstinence, which means staying alcohol-free. Long-term alcohol use disrupts brain chemistry, and Campral helps stabilize it.
Campral is supplied as an oral delayed-release tablet. It does not produce dependence or intoxication, so it has no abuse potential of its own.
Campral supports recovery from AUD. It is not a direct liver treatment. Unlike naltrexone (ReVia), the body does not break down acamprosate in the liver, so it is generally considered safe for people with liver disease. It is used alongside counseling or a recovery program and regular follow-up, which can include Liver Function Tests (LFTs) when alcohol has affected the liver.
WHO CAMPRAL MAY BE SUITABLE FOR
Eligibility for Campral depends on where you are in recovery, your kidney health, and your treatment goals. Your healthcare provider may prescribe it if you have stopped drinking and want to stay alcohol-free, or if cravings continue after detoxification. It is often part of a structured recovery program.
Campral is cleared by the kidneys, so your kidney function matters. Providers reduce the dose when kidney function is impaired. Campral should be avoided if creatinine clearance, a measure of kidney function, is below 30 mL/min. Data are limited in people with advanced (Child-Pugh C) cirrhosis, so a specialist should guide that decision.
Because every patient's health profile is different, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Treatment decisions should be made by a qualified healthcare professional after a full assessment.
ELIGIBILITY OVERVIEW
Your healthcare provider may consider Campral if:
Before recommending Campral, healthcare providers evaluate several factors, including:
HOW CAMPRAL SUPPORTS RECOVERY
Long-term alcohol use disrupts the balance of two chemical messengers in the brain: glutamate and GABA. Campral helps restore that balance. This helps stabilize brain function after alcohol dependence and reduces cravings that can continue after withdrawal.
Campral does not produce dependence or intoxication. It does not replace counseling or other recovery support.
For people with AUD, these effects support the goal of long-term abstinence. Campral is not used on its own. Providers pair it with counseling or a recovery program and periodic follow-up to check adherence and response.
RECOVERY BENEFITS
Long-term alcohol use disrupts glutamate and GABA, two chemical messengers in the brain. Campral restores the balance between them. This is the core of how the medicine works, and it is why Campral is considered a treatment for the brain changes that follow long-term drinking.
The urge to drink can continue after withdrawal ends. By restoring balance in the brain, Campral reduces these post-withdrawal cravings. This is why providers consider it for people who still have cravings after detoxification.
Campral helps stabilize brain function after alcohol dependence. This steadying effect supports both the early and the sustained phases of recovery, when staying alcohol-free matters most.
Campral is designed for long-term use alongside counseling, and these effects together support the goal of staying alcohol-free over time. Campral supports recovery from AUD rather than treating liver damage directly, and the body does not break down acamprosate in the liver. Staying alcohol-free is what helps protect your liver over time.
Campral helps reduce cravings and supports abstinence in people recovering from AUD. It should only be started and monitored under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
TREATMENT PROCESS
Campral is supplied as an oral delayed-release tablet. Take it exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes.
The typical dose is 666 mg three times a day. Your provider may adjust the dose if you have kidney impairment, and Campral should be avoided if creatinine clearance is below 30 mL/min. Your healthcare provider determines the right dose for you.
Take Campral with or without food, evenly spaced through the day. Taking it at consistent times each day improves effectiveness. Do not change your dose without medical guidance.
Treatment is typically long-term. It often continues for several months to years, depending on relapse risk, cravings, and how stable your recovery is. Campral is most effective when maintained during the early and sustained recovery phases. Talk with your healthcare provider before stopping.
Store Campral at room temperature, away from moisture.
Periodic follow-up is recommended to check how well you are taking the medication and how you are responding. Kidney function monitoring is advised, especially in older adults. Report any side effects or unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
BENEFITS AND SAFETY
Campral (acamprosate) may support people recovering from AUD by reducing post-withdrawal cravings and helping them stay alcohol-free. It does not produce dependence or intoxication. The extent of benefit varies from person to person, depending on relapse risk, recovery stability, and how well the medication is taken. Campral is not a stand-alone treatment. It works best as part of a broader care plan that includes counseling or a recovery program and regular follow-up.
As with any medication, Campral may cause side effects. The most common are digestive symptoms, and anxiety has also been reported. Because the kidneys clear Campral, your provider may monitor kidney function and adjust the dose over time. The body does not break down acamprosate in the liver, so it is generally considered safe in people with Child-Pugh A or B cirrhosis.
BENEFITS
Campral helps people maintain alcohol-free recovery once they have stopped drinking. It is meant for people who want to stay alcohol-free, and it is used alongside counseling or a structured recovery program, not on its own. Regular follow-up lets your provider check how well it is working for you.
Campral reduces the urge to drink that can continue after withdrawal. Fewer cravings may make it easier to get through each day without alcohol and to focus on counseling and daily routines. How much benefit you notice varies from person to person.
Campral has no abuse or dependence potential, and it does not cause intoxication. You do not trade alcohol for another substance. Because the body does not break down acamprosate in the liver, it is also generally considered safe for people with liver disease, although kidney function matters.
Campral is taken as a long-term therapy. Many people continue for several months to years, depending on relapse risk, cravings, and how stable recovery is. Taking it at consistent times each day improves effectiveness, and it works best when maintained through the early and sustained phases of recovery. Talk with your provider before stopping.
Talk with your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Your provider will discuss the potential benefits and risks before treatment and provide ongoing support, including kidney monitoring, to help ensure safe use.
SUPPORTING YOUR RECOVERY
Campral works best alongside lifestyle and behavior changes. Complete alcohol abstinence, counseling or a recovery program, and regular follow-up care are an essential part of treatment.
These habits can support your recovery and help protect your liver over time.
Areas that may support treatment:
common questions
Campral is used to help people recovering from alcohol use disorder (AUD) stay alcohol-free. It helps stabilize brain chemistry disrupted by long-term alcohol use and reduces cravings after withdrawal. Providers may consider it if you have stopped drinking, have ongoing cravings after detoxification, and are in a structured recovery program. It works best alongside counseling. Campral does not treat liver damage directly. Ask your healthcare provider whether it fits your situation.
Campral treatment is typically long-term, and the usual dose is 666 mg three times a day. Take the delayed-release tablets with or without food, spaced evenly through the day. Treatment often continues for several months to years, depending on relapse risk, cravings, and how stable your recovery is. Your provider may adjust the dose if you have kidney impairment. Do not change your dose or stop without talking with your healthcare provider.
Campral is generally considered safe in people with liver disease, including Child-Pugh A or B cirrhosis. The body does not break down acamprosate in the liver, so liver metabolism is not involved. Data are limited in advanced (Child-Pugh C) cirrhosis, so a specialist should guide that decision. Talk with your healthcare provider about your liver condition and whether Campral fits your care plan.
It depends on how well your kidneys work. The kidneys clear Campral from the body, so providers reduce the dose in kidney impairment. Campral should be avoided if creatinine clearance, a measure of kidney function, is below 30 mL/min. Your provider may also monitor kidney function over time, especially if you are older. Share your kidney history and all medicines you take so your healthcare provider can decide if Campral is right for you.
No, Campral does not cause dependence or intoxication, and it has no abuse potential. It works by restoring the balance of glutamate and GABA, two brain chemicals disrupted by long-term alcohol use, which reduces cravings after withdrawal. It helps reduce the urge to drink rather than replacing alcohol with another substance. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have concerns about starting any medicine for alcohol use disorder.
The most common side effects of Campral are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache, and fatigue. Anxiety has also been reported. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away. Your provider will discuss the potential benefits and risks before treatment and provide ongoing support, including kidney monitoring, to help ensure safe use.
Medical disclaimer: LiverDirectory provides educational information and a directory of providers. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician regarding any medical condition.
