acamprosate vs thioridazine
Side-by-side comparison of acamprosate and thioridazine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Campral
Mellaril
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.
Thioridazine is a medicine used to treat schizophrenia. It is only used when other antipsychotic medicines have not worked well enough.
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.
Thioridazine is used to manage schizophrenia in adults and children. You should only use this medicine if other antipsychotic medicines have not worked for you. This is because thioridazine can cause serious heart problems.
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.
Thioridazine affects the balance of certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, like dopamine, can affect mood and behavior. By changing the balance, thioridazine helps to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.
- • Accidental injury
- • Weakness
- • Pain
- • Loss of appetite
- • Diarrhea
- • Drowsiness
- • Dry mouth
- • Blurred vision
- • Constipation
- • Nausea
- Low blood pressure 14
- Weakness 13
- Condition worsened 13
- Using the medicine for something it is not approved for 13
- Sudden kidney damage 12
- Weight gain 8
- Medicine not working 7
- Shortness of breath 7
- Muscle spasms and contractions 6
- High blood sugar 6
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.
Thioridazine can cause a life-threatening heart rhythm problem called Torsades de pointes, which can lead to sudden death. Because of this risk, only use thioridazine if other antipsychotic medicines have not worked. Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis who are treated with antipsychotic drugs have an increased risk of death.
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. It is not known if thioridazine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking thioridazine during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Also Compare — Nearby Drugs
Compare thioridazine with
How to Read This acamprosate vs thioridazine Comparison
acamprosate is classified in the GABA Analog (Alcohol Dependence) drug class, while thioridazine sits within the Typical Antipsychotic (Phenothiazine) 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 thioridazine has 34. 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 thioridazine — 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.