Two medicines, side by side
Acamprosate vs protriptyline
Acamprosate is labeled for alcohol use disorder; protriptyline for depression. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acamprosate since 2004 and of protriptyline since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.589 per acamprosate calc DR 333 mg tablet and $2.71 per protriptyline HCl 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the protriptyline label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the acamprosate FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 14, 2026); the protriptyline FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 25, 2023).
Highlights of the acamprosate record
Acamprosate (Campral) · label of July 14, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAcamprosate calcium is indicated for the maintenance of abstinence from alcohol in patients with alcohol dependence who are abstinent at treatment initiation. Treatment with acamprosate calcium should be part of a comprehensive management program that includes psychosocial support. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 29, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 10 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.589 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the protriptyline record
Protriptyline (Vivactil) · label of July 25, 2023
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of protriptyline hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Used for
From the label: indicationsProtriptyline hydrochloride tablets are indicated for the treatment of symptoms of mental depression in patients who are under close medical supervision. Its activating properties make it particularly suitable for withdrawn and anergic patients.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 27, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 2 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $2.71 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acamprosate label of July 14, 2026, Protriptyline label of July 25, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acamprosate and protriptyline differ on the record?
Only the protriptyline label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: acamprosate since 2013; protriptyline since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Acamprosate | Protriptyline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Alcohol use disorder | Depression |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Tricyclic Antidepressant |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of acamprosate in maintenance of alcohol abstinence is not completely understood. Chronic alcohol exposure is hypothesized to alter the normal balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination After oral dosing of 2 x 333 mg of acamprosate calcium, the terminal half-life ranges from approximately 20 to 33 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 29, 2004 | September 27, 1967 |
| First generic approved | July 16, 2013 | August 24, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 10 labelers | 2 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.589 per tablet (Acamprosate calc DR 333 mg tablet) | $2.71 per tablet (Protriptyline HCl 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -1% | -6% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 322 | 96 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to acamprosate
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions