Acamprosate Reduces Relapse Risk

Acamprosate significantly reduces relapse risk in alcohol-dependent patients, according to a new research review, ScienceDaily reported on Sept. 7.

Although the relapse-prevention benefits were small, they were still meaningful when combined with other non-drug therapies.

A research team led by Dr. Susanne Rösner of the Psychiatric Hospital at the University of Munich, Germany, reviewed 24 randomized controlled trials from several countries that measured the effect of acamprosate on alcohol-related outcomes. Acamprosate reduced relapse following detoxification in one in nine patients and increased abstinence by roughly three days per month. Diarrhea was the only side effect of the medication compared with placebo.

“Acamprosate is certainly no magic bullet, but it is a safe and effective treatment for patients who are trying to stop drinking,” said Rösner. “The benefits we have seen in these trials are small. However, we must remember that these are additional benefits on top of those from other non-drug therapies.”

The study was published online Sept. 8 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.