acamprosate vs amitriptyline
Side-by-side comparison of acamprosate and amitriptyline Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Campral
Elavil
Acamprosate is a medicine that can help you stay away from alcohol if you are alcohol-dependent and have already stopped drinking. It should be used with counseling and support.
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression. It may take up to 30 days to feel the full effect.
Acamprosate helps people who are alcohol-dependent to not drink alcohol. You must have already stopped drinking before you start taking acamprosate. This medicine works best when it is part of a complete treatment plan that includes counseling and support.
Amitriptyline is used to relieve the symptoms of depression. It works best for a type of depression called endogenous depression. This is depression that comes from within, rather than being caused by outside events.
Acamprosate is similar to a natural substance in your brain. It is thought to work by helping to restore the normal balance of brain activity that is changed by long-term alcohol use. This can reduce your craving for alcohol.
Amitriptyline belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain. These chemicals help improve your mood.
- • Accidental injury
- • Weakness
- • Pain
- • Loss of appetite
- • Diarrhea
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- • Weakness
- • Fatigue
- • Headache
- Low blood pressure 14
- Weakness 13
- Condition worsened 13
- Using the medicine for something it is not approved for 13
- Sudden kidney damage 12
- Pain 1,564
- Feeling sick to your stomach 1,434
- Head pain 1,380
- Tiredness 1,369
- Shortness of breath 1,340
Acamprosate may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Your doctor should watch you for depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teens, and young adults. Your doctor should closely monitor you for worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior. Amitriptyline is not approved for use in children.
Acamprosate may harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if acamprosate passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if amitriptyline will harm your unborn baby. Amitriptyline can pass into breast milk.
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How to Read This acamprosate vs amitriptyline Comparison
acamprosate is classified in the GABA Analog (Alcohol Dependence) drug class, while amitriptyline sits within the Tricyclic Antidepressant (TCA) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, acamprosate has 65 submissions while amitriptyline has 7,087. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between acamprosate and amitriptyline — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.