Campral Information and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Daniel R. Karlin, MD, MA, Chief Medical Officer · PubMed · Google Scholar

Reviewed October 18, 2026

Campral is a prescription medication that can help a person struggling to remain sober, stay sober. It is an oral medication that is typically taken three times per day. The pill is white and round in shape. The usual dose is two 333 mg tablets three times a day. People with moderate kidney problems take one tablet three times a day, and Campral is not used in severe kidney disease. Campral is the name brand, and it is also available in generic form under the name of acamprosate calcium.

Campral is a medication that can help you stay sober after the initial withdrawal period. After you withdraw from alcohol, you can begin to take this medication. This medication helps to restore the balance of chemicals in the brain, also known as neurotransmitters. This helps to decrease your dependency on alcohol, while also curbing cravings. You need to detox the alcohol out of your body before beginning Campral, and then remain off of alcohol while taking this medication.

Most prescription medications may have side effects associated with them. Campral is no different. Some of the side effects include:

• Diarrhea (the most common)
• Nausea
• Gas
• Loss of appetite
• Itching
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Trouble sleeping
• Anxiety
• Weakness
• Depression

Tell your provider right away if you feel depressed or have thoughts of suicide.

If you are considering taking Campral, you wonder how much this prescription will cost. It is important to note that the pharmacy you use may have different costs for the medication. Insurance often also covers some or all of the cost of the medication. This can bring cost down drastically for the medications. Be sure to contact your insurance company to ask them whether they cover this medication, and if so, how much your out-of-pocket costs will be.

Campral is meant for people who have already stopped drinking, and it works best when you stay abstinent. If you do drink, keep taking it and tell your provider: the FDA label says treatment should continue after a relapse.

It is also important to note that while Campral can physically help you with your alcoholism, it is still important to get emotional and mental help for your addiction. Those who seek counseling, participate in alcohol recovery groups or classes and take Campral have a higher sobriety success rate compared to those who only take the medication by itself.

Campral is a prescription pill that can be prescribed to you by your physician or by a facility that helps you overcome alcohol addiction. If you are looking to become sober and feel that Campral may be beneficial to you, talk to your physician or alcohol addiction professional to find out if you may be a candidate for this medication. Taking this medication in conjunction with other treatment methods, such as counseling, can help you achieve sobriety and abstain from alcohol for good.

Campral is one of three FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder, along with naltrexone and Antabuse. See medication for alcohol use disorder for how they compare.

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