Acamprosate Ethanol

Lovinger DM (2000) Examination of ethanol spermine and acamprosate actions on native and recombinant NMDA receptors. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 24 183A... 

Acamprosate is not known to cause alcohol aversion and does not cause a disulfiram-like reaction as a result of ethanol ingestion. 

Acamprosate is a competitive inhibitor of the A-methyl-o-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor that is proposed to normalize the dysregulated neurotransmission associated with chronic ethanol intake and thereby to attenuate one of the mechanisms that lead to relapse. In several European studies, acamprosate has been shown to promote abstinence either alone or in combination with naltrexone. 

Dahchour A, De Witte P. Ethanol and amino acids in the central nervous system assessment of the pharmacological actions of acamprosate. Prog Neurobiol 2000 60 343-362. 

Of course, these symptoms can also be cured by ethanol itself and relapse is common in the first few months after withdrawal. To help avoid relapse, acamprosate, a weak NMDA antagonist, is sometimes used. This drug appears to help diminish fedings of craving. Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, can block reward pathways that are activated by alcohol and so break the fink between alcohol and its reinfordng effects. An alternative approach of aversion therapy is provided by the dmg disulfiram. 

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