Alcohol and drug use is something that many people struggle with, but it can be somewhat silent. When you start to get treatment for sobriety from drugs or alcohol, there is a hardship that’s usually faced with maintaining that sobriety, and that’s where medications come in. Medications are important in avoiding relapse. In this article, we will talk about the difference between Vivitrol and Campral, and how they work in alcohol and drug rehabilitation.
What is Vivitrol?
Vivitrol is an injectable medication that helps treat alcohol and opioid dependence. Naltrexone is the active medication ingredient in Vivitrol that is used to block the effects of opioids. It is also a slow-release type of injectable, which means that it’s injected into the body, but it slowly releases the medication over the course of a month. This means that it needs to be administered on a monthly basis to keep up with the effects of opioids and addiction. It’s become a staple when treating opioid addiction, and it is used in many facilities that help treat addiction.
What is Campral?
Campral is specifically a drug that is used to treat alcohol addiction and maintain abstinence from alcohol after they’ve gone through detoxification. It is specifically used to reduce urges and cravings associated with alcohol, which helps them to stay sober. It doesn’t treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms and instead is used once they have stopped drinking and gone through withdrawal.
How Do They Work and What is the Difference?
The biggest difference between Campral and Vivitrol is their active ingredients. In Vivitrol, the main working ingredient is Naltrexone, and in Campral, it is Acamprostate. Campral is often a first choice that helps reduce cravings and minimize withdrawal symptoms after you stop drinking. Vivitrol is an extended-release medication and is used to block the effects of opioids. Here is a look at some of the key differences in the medications:
Action of Medication
Campral works by restoring balance to neurotransmitters in the brain that are disrupted by alcohol. Vivitrol works by blocking opioid receptors and the pleasurable effects of alcohol. They both can be used to treat alcohol dependence, but they work in different ways.
Administration
Campral is taken three times daily orally, while Vivitrol is a monthly injection. Campral is an oral medication that can be taken at home. However, Vivitrol has to be administered by a healthcare provider.
Use
Campral is taken by individuals who have stopped drinking and need help maintaining abstinence. Vivitrol is taken by people who are still taking alcohol to reduce cravings. Both of these are used in the same way to treat alcohol addiction, but they are used in different ways to treat.
Side Effects
Side effects of Campral include diarrhea, trouble sleeping, and nervousness. The side effects of Vivitrol can include tenderness at the injection site and nausea. These side effects can present themselves differently depending on underlying conditions and personal health.
Choosing the Right Treatment
When it comes to choosing which of these treatments is best for you to take, it’s important to consider certain factors. Patient history is a huge factor to consider when it comes to choosing the right treatment. If the patient has prior kidney problems, it’s not recommended to take Campral. It’s also important to look at other disorders that the patient might have that could affect the patient’s treatment. There is also a need to see which treatment might adhere better to the circumstances.
Pro and Con Overview
When looking at all of these details here between the two medications, there are some pros and cons that can be associated with them. Here is a simple list of pros and cons for both of them, including the differences, side effects, and treatment of each medication.
Vivitrol
Pros:
- Lowers alcohol and opioid cravings
- It’s an injectable given once a month
- Better option if you don’t want to take tablets every day
Cons:
- Need to go to a clinic or a healthcare professional's office to get the injectable
- Must be given the injection in the buttock muscle
- Can cause pain or injection site reactions like swelling
Campral
Pros:
- A first choice treatment for alcohol use disorder
- Possible option for people who struggle with liver problems
- It is a low cost generic option
- Not many interactions with other medications
Cons:
- It has to be taken three times a day
- Won’t treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and is best for those who have already gone through the withdrawal stage
- Possible risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Not a good option for people with kidney problems
Warnings of Medications
With every medication, there are often warnings that can be associated with it, and for Vivitrol and Campral, this is no different. Here is a list of some of the warnings that come with each of the medications.
Vivitrol
- More sensitive to opioids
- Opioid withdrawal
- Liver injury
- Risk of depression and suicidal thoughts
- Injection site reactions
- Severe allergic reactions
Campral
- Suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Kidney problems
- Might not help with alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Vivitrol vs Campral: What is Right For You?
When it comes to both of these medications, there are pros and cons that could make one a better option than the other for you. Ultimately, these choices are based on what is best for your particular situation and underlying problems. With this said, both of them play their role in alcohol addiction. While they are administered differently and cause different side effects, they are both proven to be a good choice for those struggling. If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction, Symetria Recovery can get you the help that you need. We are a team of professionals who help with both alcohol and opioid addiction. We are familiar with both Vivitrol and Campral when it comes to treatment, and we will help you to choose the best option based on your needs.
If you’re in need and looking to get help for addiction, reach out to us and we will get you set up with a consult.