Antabuse (Disulfiram)

General information

Antabuse is prescribed to treat chronic alcoholism. Its active ingredient disulfiram bis works blocking alcohol dehydrogenase. As a result acetaldehyde blood concentration increases and consummation of alcohol causes such unpleasant feeling as nausea, vomiting, flushing, tachycardia, lowering blood pressure, etc.

Directions

It is recommended to take the medicine as it was prescribed by your doctor. Take it orally at least 12 hours after you drank alcohol. Take it with a big glass of water. Avoid taking alcohol in any form.

Precautions

Before starting your treatment with Antabuse discuss with your doctor about all conditions you may have especially about: heart problems, stomach or duodenal ulcers, disorders of cerebral circulation and disulfiram psychosis in history. Aged people can be more sensitive to the medicine.

Contraindications

Patients with the following conditions can't use the medicine: bronchial asthma, emphysema, pulmonary tuberculosis, severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, neuritis of the auditory nerve, glaucoma, optic neuritis, severe hepatic impairment, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, mental illness, acute peptic ulcer, diseases of kidneys, malignant tumor, polyneuritis, pregnant and breastfeeding women, allergic reaction to the medication.

Possible side effect

The most common side effects include: restlessness, headache, drowsiness, skin rash, acne, changes in vision, garlic-like aftertaste. More rare but serious adverse reactions may occur: tingling hands or feet, fatigue, weakness, strong stomach pains, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you have serious side effects, they become bothersome and worsen notify your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.

Drug interaction

Tell your doctor about all the drugs you may use, especially about: MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), isoniazid (Nydrazid), phenytoin (Dilantin), warfarin (Coumadin), metronidazole (Flagyl), theophylline (Theo-Dur), benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), triazolam (Halcion), lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others).

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time of the next intake just skip it and go back to your schedule.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness and tingling, and seizures.

Storage

Store at room temperature of 59-86 F (15-30 C) away from moisture and sunlight. Keep away from moisture (bathroom).

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.