Safety
Adverse drug reactions observed in either group with an incidence of ≥ 1% were diarrhea (12.9% in the acamprosate group compared with 4.9% in the placebo group), abdominal swelling (0.6% and 2.4%, respectively), constipation (0% and 1.8%, respectively), and vomiting (1.2% and 0%, respectively).
The results of clinical tests, monitoring of blood pressure and pulse rate, and standard 12-lead electrocardiogram conducted during the administration period were examined, and abnormal changes for which a causal relationship to the investigational drug could not be ruled out were seen in 1 subject in the acamprosate group (increase in GGTP) and 5 subjects in the placebo group (increase in blood triglyceride [1], increase in GGTP [1], decrease in blood phosphate [1], increase in percentage of neutrophils [1], first-degree atrioventricular block [1]). In the various examinations conducted during the administration period, abnormal changes for which a causal relationship to the investigational drug could not be ruled out were seen in 1 subject in the acamprosate group and 5 subjects in the placebo group. No changes specifically associated with the administration of acamprosate were observed.
The incidence of adverse drug reactions was 17.2% (28/163) in the acamprosate group and 13.4% (22/164) in the placebo group. There was no intergroup difference between these incidences (χ2 test; P = .3444).