Table 3.

Studies comparing acamprosate with naltrexone and disulfiram

Study	Design	Study subjects	Main findings
Rubio et al 2001	12-month, randomized, single-blind study comparing naltrexone and acamprosate	157 recently detoxified alcohol-dependent men with moderate dependence and a stable family environment	Time to first relapse was greater in the naltrexone group than acamprosate group (p=0.02). At end of study, greater percentage of naltrexone group had not relapsed compared with acamprosate group (p=0.009). Cumulative number of days of abstinence was greater in naltrexone group, and severity of craving and percentage of heavy drinking was lower in naltrexone group than acamprosate group.
Kiefer et al 2003	12-week double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled trial comparing efficacy of naltrexone, acamprosate, and combination of both with either alone.	160 recently detoxified alcohol-dependent patients randomized to acamprosate, naltrexone, both, or placebo.	Acamprosate, naltrexone, and combination therapy were superior to placebo. No significant difference in time to first drink and time to relapse between acamprosate and naltrexone. Combined medication resulted in significantly lower relapse rates than placebo and acamprosate but not naltrexone.
De Sousa and De Sousa 2005	1-year open, randomized trial comparing efficacy of acamprosate and disulfiram (taken for a 8-month period).	100 alcohol-dependent males with highly involved family members who agreed to supervise medication compliance and attend appointments with patient.	Relapse occurred later in the disulfiram group than acamprosate group (p=0.0001). Greater proportion of those in the disulfiram group remained abstinent at the end of study than acamprosate group (p=0.0002).