A provider's guide to helping patients save on Acamprosate. Covers discount cards, patient assistance programs, generic options, and cost conversations.
For patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), Acamprosate is one of three FDA-approved pharmacotherapies that can meaningfully improve abstinence rates. But even as a generic medication, cost remains a real barrier to adherence — particularly for the uninsured, underinsured, and those navigating high-deductible health plans.
When a patient tells you they can't afford their medication, that's not a compliance problem. It's a systems problem. And as their provider, you're uniquely positioned to help them navigate it.
This guide covers what your patients are actually paying for Acamprosate, the savings programs available, and how to build cost conversations into your clinical workflow.
Acamprosate is available only as a generic (the brand Campral was discontinued years ago). Despite generic availability, pricing varies dramatically:
The gap between $338 retail and $68 with a coupon means that many cash-pay patients are overpaying by $270/month simply because they don't know discount options exist. That's a $3,240 annual difference — and for a population already facing financial instability, it can be the difference between adherence and abandonment.
For a patient-facing breakdown, refer them to our savings guide for Acamprosate.
Unlike many brand-name medications, Acamprosate does not have a manufacturer savings card or copay assistance program. The original brand (Campral) was manufactured by Forest Laboratories (later acquired by Allergan, now part of AbbVie), and the brand product has been discontinued.
Since only generic manufacturers remain — including Zydus, Teva, Amneal, and Mylan/Viatris — there are no manufacturer-sponsored patient savings programs for Acamprosate at this time.
This makes third-party discount programs and patient assistance resources even more important for your patients.
Prescription discount cards can dramatically reduce the out-of-pocket cost for uninsured or underinsured patients. These are free to use and accepted at most retail pharmacies:
As a clinical practice tip, consider having printed GoodRx or SingleCare cards available in your office. Many patients — especially older adults or those without smartphones — benefit from a physical card they can hand to the pharmacist.
For patients who are comfortable with mail-order, these options may offer lower prices and more reliable stock (important given the ongoing Acamprosate shortage):
For patients who are uninsured or have very limited income, patient assistance programs (PAPs) may provide Acamprosate at no cost or significantly reduced cost:
For patients already in a treatment program, the program may cover medication costs directly through block grants or other SAMHSA funding mechanisms.
Acamprosate is already generic — so "switching to the generic" isn't an option in the traditional sense. However, there are therapeutic alternatives worth considering when cost or availability is a barrier:
Oral Naltrexone 50 mg daily is another first-line AUD medication. Generic Naltrexone is generally less expensive than Acamprosate, with GoodRx prices as low as $25–$40 for a 30-day supply. It requires liver function monitoring but has a simpler once-daily dosing schedule.
Vivitrol (380 mg IM monthly) eliminates adherence concerns but costs significantly more — roughly $1,500–$2,000 per injection without insurance. However, Vivitrol has a robust savings program and is often covered by insurance and Medicaid. For patients with adherence challenges, the monthly injection format may be worth the cost differential.
Generic Disulfiram 250 mg is typically $30–$60 per month, making it the most affordable AUD medication. However, its aversion-based mechanism and contraindications (liver disease, cardiac conditions) limit its use in many patients.
Gabapentin is used off-label for AUD, especially in patients with co-occurring anxiety or insomnia. It's widely available and inexpensive — often under $15/month generic. However, it is not FDA-approved for AUD, and some states have added prescribing restrictions due to misuse concerns.
When considering therapeutic substitution, individualize the decision based on the patient's clinical profile, comorbidities, and preferences. For more on alternatives, see our clinical alternatives guide.
Research consistently shows that patients underreport financial barriers to medication adherence. Many feel embarrassed or assume there's nothing their provider can do. Building cost into your standard workflow normalizes the conversation:
When patients report supply issues, direct them to Medfinder for Providers — a tool that helps locate pharmacies with Acamprosate currently in stock. This is especially valuable given the active manufacturer shortage affecting the market. You can also reference our provider guide to finding Acamprosate in stock.
The cost of Acamprosate is modest compared to many specialty medications, but for patients in early recovery — often rebuilding their financial lives alongside their sobriety — every dollar matters. A $270 monthly savings from a free discount card isn't trivial. A connection to a state-funded program that covers the medication entirely can be the difference between sustained abstinence and relapse.
By integrating cost awareness into your prescribing practice, you remove one more barrier between your patients and the treatment they need. The medications work — but only if patients can access them.
For more provider resources on Acamprosate, visit Medfinder for Providers.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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