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acamprosate vs iloperidone

Side-by-side comparison of acamprosate and iloperidone Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

Drug Class
acamprosate GABA Analog (Alcohol Dependence)
iloperidone Atypical Antipsychotic
Type
acamprosate Prescription
iloperidone Prescription
Summary
acamprosate

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.

iloperidone

Fanapt is a medicine used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It helps to balance chemicals in the brain to improve mood and behavior.

What It Treats
acamprosate

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.

iloperidone

Fanapt is used to treat schizophrenia in adults. Schizophrenia can cause confused thinking, hallucinations, and changes in behavior. Fanapt is also used for the short-term treatment of manic or mixed episodes linked to bipolar I disorder in adults.

How It Works
acamprosate

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.

iloperidone

Fanapt is an atypical antipsychotic. It works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin. This helps to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Common Side Effects
acamprosate
  • Accidental injury
  • Weakness
  • Pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhea
iloperidone
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Feeling tired
  • Stuffy nose
  • Low blood pressure when standing up
FAERS Reports
acamprosate
  • Low blood pressure 14
  • Weakness 13
  • Condition worsened 13
  • Using the medicine for something it is not approved for 13
  • Sudden kidney damage 12
iloperidone
  • The medicine is not working 107
  • Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 99
  • Trouble sleeping 83
  • Gaining weight 76
  • Feeling worried or nervous 68
Serious Warnings
acamprosate

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.

iloperidone

Fanapt may increase the risk of death in elderly patients who have psychosis related to dementia. Fanapt is not approved to treat this condition.

Pregnancy
acamprosate

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.

iloperidone

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Babies born to mothers who take antipsychotics like Fanapt in the last 3 months of pregnancy may have withdrawal symptoms after birth. Talk to your doctor about whether to breastfeed while taking Fanapt.

Also Compare — Nearby Drugs

How to Read This acamprosate vs iloperidone Comparison

acamprosate is classified in the GABA Analog (Alcohol Dependence) drug class, while iloperidone sits within the Atypical Antipsychotic 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 iloperidone has 433. 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 iloperidone — 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.