acamprosate vs citalopram
Side-by-side comparison of acamprosate and citalopram Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Campral
Celexa
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.
Citalopram is a medicine used to treat depression in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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.
Citalopram is used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and difficulty functioning in daily life. This medicine can help improve your mood and overall well-being.
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.
Citalopram works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that helps regulate mood. By blocking the reabsorption of serotonin, citalopram helps to improve communication between nerve cells and stabilize mood.
- • Accidental injury
- • Weakness
- • Pain
- • Loss of appetite
- • Diarrhea
- • Ejaculation disorder (mostly delayed ejaculation)
- Low blood pressure 14
- Weakness 13
- Condition worsened 13
- Using the medicine for something it is not approved for 13
- Sudden kidney damage 12
- Tiredness 8,930
- Feeling sick to your stomach 8,204
- Medicine not working 7,287
- Head pain 6,654
- Loose stools 6,214
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 and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Citalopram 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.
Taking citalopram late in pregnancy may cause problems for the newborn. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant. There is a pregnancy registry to monitor outcomes, call 1-844-405-6185 to register.
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How to Read This acamprosate vs citalopram Comparison
acamprosate is classified in the GABA Analog (Alcohol Dependence) drug class, while citalopram sits within the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) 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 citalopram has 37,289. 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 citalopram — 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.