acamprosate vs desipramine
PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.
Side-by-side comparison of acamprosate and desipramine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Campral
Norpramin
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.
Desipramine is a medicine used to treat depression. It belongs to a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants.
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.
Desipramine is used to treat depression. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and trouble 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.
Desipramine works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain. It helps to increase the levels of norepinephrine. This can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.
- • Accidental injury
- • Weakness
- • Pain
- • Loss of appetite
- • Diarrhea
- • Drowsiness
- • Dizziness
- • Dry mouth
- • Constipation
- • Blurred vision
- Hypotension 14
- Asthenia 13
- Condition Aggravated 13
- Acute Kidney Injury 12
- Coma 12
- Fatigue 119
- Completed Suicide 116
- Nausea 77
- Headache 70
- Weight Increased 68
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. Watch for worsening depression, unusual behavior, or thoughts of suicide. Desipramine 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 or plan to become pregnant. Desipramine may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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How to Read This acamprosate vs desipramine Comparison
acamprosate is classified in the GABA Analog (Alcohol Dependence) drug class, while desipramine 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 64 submissions while desipramine has 450. 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 represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for acamprosate or desipramine.
Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.