acamprosate vs diazepam
Side-by-side comparison of acamprosate and diazepam Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
The pharmacokinetics of acamprosate are not affected by alcohol, diazepam, or disulfiram, and clinically important interactions between naltrexone and acamprosate were not observed [ see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Recommendation: No special precautions or dose changes are needed when taking these two medicines together.
Campral
Valium
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.
Diazepam (Valium) is a medicine that can help with anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. It belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which work by slowing down the brain.
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.
Diazepam can help manage anxiety disorders or provide short-term relief from anxiety symptoms. It can also relieve symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as shaking or agitation. Additionally, diazepam can help with muscle spasms and may be used with other medicines to treat seizures.
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.
Diazepam works by increasing the effects of a natural chemical in the brain called GABA. GABA helps to calm the brain and nerves. This can reduce anxiety, relax muscles, and prevent seizures.
- • Accidental injury
- • Weakness
- • Pain
- • Loss of appetite
- • Diarrhea
- • Drowsiness
- • Fatigue
- • Muscle weakness
- • Uncoordinated movements
- Low blood pressure 14
- Weakness 13
- Condition worsened 13
- Using the medicine for something it is not approved for 13
- Sudden kidney damage 12
- Harm from certain substances 9,167
- Medicine not working 7,080
- Misuse of medicine 7,019
- Feeling sick to your stomach 6,144
- Feeling tired 5,714
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.
Diazepam can be habit-forming and can cause serious side effects, including breathing problems, coma, and even death, especially when taken with opioid pain medicines or alcohol. You should not stop taking diazepam suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to slowly stop taking diazepam.
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.
Diazepam may harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if diazepam passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
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How to Read This acamprosate vs diazepam Comparison
acamprosate is classified in the GABA Analog (Alcohol Dependence) drug class, while diazepam sits within the Benzodiazepine 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 diazepam has 35,124. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to diazepam does not change the way your body absorbs or uses acamprosate. these drugs do not have a known interaction that affects their levels in the blood.. 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 diazepam — 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.