Acamprosate is a new psychotropic drug for the alcohol dependence treatment, which is thought to reduce the craving for alcohol. The drug helps to maintain abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients who have successfully undergone detoxification. In Czech and Slovak Republics referred on Acamprosate Neradová (1998), Švestka (1999), Kolibáš and Novotny (2000). Since that the literature on Acamprosate has been growing and so the authors reviewed the literatu re published during the past three years (1999-2001). The main focus of the publications was on pharmacoeconomic implications of acamprosate therapy as well as on studies dealing with effectiveness of acamprosate treatment in alcohol dependence. Based on recent clinical trials on the economic evaluation of acamprosate, it can be concluded that adjuvant acamprosate therapy leads to net savings and is both clinically and economically attractive. Concomitant administration of disulfiram improved the effectiveness of acamprosate.

Key words: acamprosate – alcohol dependence treatment