Disulfiram

Uses	Alcohol addiction
Therapy	Deaddiction
Side Effects	Rashes, metallic taste, weakness, nervousness, stomach upset

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Molecule Description

Disulfiram is a medicine used to treat alcoholism. When alcohol is ingested after taking Disulfiram, the levels of a substance called acetaldehyde are increased in the body which causes highly distressing physical symptoms like burning sensation, reddening of the skin, increase in body temperature, nausea, vomiting, rashes and itching, throbbing headache, vision disturbances, dizziness, sweating, uneasiness and confusion, which may stop the individual from further drinking alcohol. You should take this medicine only if it is recommended by your doctor. Do not take this medicine on your own. You should not take Disulfiram if you have consumed alcohol in the past 24 hours. This medicine is to be used only in adults.

Uses

Disulfiram is used for the treatment of alcoholism along with other appropriate supportive treatments.

Contraindications

When should one not use Disulfiram

If you are allergic to disulfiram or any other ingredient of this medicine.
If you have chronic heart failure or coronary artery disease (a condition where major blood vessels supplying blood to the heart are narrowed).
If you have ever had a cerebrovascular accident (stroke, where blood flow to a part of your brain is stopped either due to blockage or damage of a blood vessel).
If you have increased blood pressure.
If you have a severe personality disorder.
If you have any kind of mental illness.
If you have consumed alcohol in the past 24 hours.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Rashes
Metallic taste
Weakness
Nervousness
Stomach upset

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

The use of Disulfiram during the first three months of pregnancy is to be avoided. Even though the cases of birth defects in children of mothers who used Disulfiram during pregnancy are rare, it is suggested that Disulfiram should not be used during pregnancy to avoid any risks to the developing baby.

Breast Feeding

There is limited information available regarding the excretion of Disulfiram in human breastmilk. Hence, to avoid any possibility of interaction of the medicine with the suckling infant, do not use this medicine during breastfeeding.

Driving

Disulfiram may cause drowsiness and sleepiness. If you experience these symptoms after taking Disulfiram which may affect your ability to drive safely, it is suggested that you do not drive.

Alcohol

The ingestion of alcohol after taking Disulfiram will lead to an interaction between the medicine and alcohol. This can cause highly distressing physical symptoms like burning sensation, reddening of the skin, increase in body temperature, nausea, vomiting, rashes and itching, throbbing headache, vision disturbances, dizziness, sweating, uneasiness and confusion which can be potentially dangerous. Thus, it is recommended that individuals who are taking Disulfiram should avoid the ingestion of alcohol.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You have any kind of kidney, liver, or lung disease.
You have thyroid problems or you are diabetic
You have or have a history of epilepsy or brain damage.
You have hereditary galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
You develop signs and symptoms of liver injury (yellowing of the skin and eyes, weakness, stomach pain and swelling, swelling in legs and ankles, itchy skin, dark coloured urine, pale stool colour, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and easy bruising).

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Disulfiram stops the function of a certain chemical in the body that is required for the complete breakdown of alcohol. When the function of this chemical is stopped, an incomplete breakdown of alcohol into a substance called acetaldehyde takes place.
The increased levels of this acetaldehyde in the body cause unpleasant physical symptoms. Thus, if an individual taking Disulfiram drinks alcohol, he/she will experience highly unpleasant physical symptoms.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way Disulfiram works or Disulfiram itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
Disulfiram may increase the intensity of the unpleasant physical symptoms when taken along with amitriptyline or chlorpromazine.
Disulfiram may increase the sedative effect of benzodiazepines (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam).
The dose adjustment may be required for phenytoin, theophylline and warfarin when these medicines are taken along with Disulfiram.
Care should be taken when pimozide, isoniazid, metronidazole, paraldehyde and rifampicin are taken along with Disulfiram.

Interactions with food items

Avoid foods, liquid medicines and other products that contain alcohol, as they may cause a disulfiram reaction.

Dosage

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose of Disulfiram include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, sleepiness and weakness. If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

You should never miss your dose of medicines. However, if you missed any dose of the medicine, take it as soon as you remember. If it's time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Care should be taken when you consume non-alcoholic or alcohol-free beverages after taking Disulfiram. Consuming these non-alcoholic and alcohol-free beverages in sufficient quantities may provoke a reaction between the beverage and medicine, leading to highly distressing physical symptoms which may also be potentially dangerous. Thus, it is suggested that you do not drink non-alcoholic or alcohol-free beverages after taking this medicine.

Consuming alcohol after taking Disulfiram can lead to the interaction between the medicine and alcohol. This is known as a disulfiram reaction. This reaction causes highly unpleasant physical symptoms like burning sensation, reddening of the skin, increase in body temperature, nausea, vomiting, rashes and itching, throbbing headache, vision disturbances, dizziness, sweating, uneasiness and confusion which can also be potentially dangerous.

There are certain foods, liquid medicines, remedies, tonics, toiletries, perfumes and aerosol sprays that may contain sufficient alcohol quantity to elicit a disulfiram reaction. Thus, it is best to avoid foods and products that contain alcohol. You should always consult your doctor if you are not sure about whether a certain food or product can be used along with Disulfiram.

The doctor will suggest you the best time of the day to take Disulfiram depending on your condition, other medications that you take, food and lifestyle habits. Disulfiram should be taken at the same dose and same frequency exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on how long you should continue to take this medicine. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.

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