Campral and Weight Gain: An Overview
Weight changes (both weight gain and weight loss) have been reported as possible side effects of
Campral® (
acamprosate calcium). This data comes from clinical trials in which Campral was extensively studied and its side effects carefully documented.
Does Campral Cause Weight Gain or Loss?
In these studies, weight gain was reported as a frequent side effect of Campral, occurring in at least 1 percent of people, while weight loss was reported as an infrequent
Campral side effect, occurring in 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 people. However, the exact percentage of people who developed these side effects was not reported.
It is not clear whether weight changes are true "side effects" of Campral, as weight changes are common in the general public and may be more common in people quitting alcohol. The fact that weight gain and weight loss were reported suggests that these problems are not related to Campral, although more research may clarify this issue in the future.
Campral and Weight Gain: Suggestions
If you are noticing any weight changes with Campral, talk to your healthcare provider.
He or she may look for other causes, such as certain medical conditions. In the case of weight gain, if this remains unexplained, your healthcare provider may give you some suggestions, such as eating
heart-healthy foods and exercising more frequently. In the case of weight loss, your healthcare provider may recommend dietary changes to help stop this. If the weight gain or loss continues, he or she may also recommend other lifestyle changes or suggest another alcohol dependence medicine.
(Click BMI Calculator to see if your weight is within a healthy range.)
