Antabuse

What is it?

A preparation containing the drug disulfiram, an enzyme (aldehyde dehydrogenase) inhibitor used in the treatment of alcoholism. It is available as white, scored tablets (200mg) marked DUMEX 110L.

Medical Uses

Adjunct in therapy for alcohol dependence.

Dosage

Adults, 800mg as single dose on first day. Afterwards reducing to 200100mg over period of five days. Should not be used for longer than six months.

Special Care

Liver or kidney disease, respiratory disease, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy. Careful counselling of patient essential before use as reaction of disulfiram with even a minute quantity of alcohol causes extremely unpleasant and possibly fatal consequences due to accumulation of acetaldehyde in body. With small amounts of alcohol reactions include severe throbbing headache, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, raised heartbeat, flushing of face. The quantity of alcohol in many medicines may be sufficient to precipitate this. Larger quantities of alcohol can cause hypotension, heart arrhythmias and collapse. No alcohol should be consumed until one week after stopping the drug or for 24 hours prior to start of treatment.

Avoid Use

Patients with heart failure, coronary artery disease or high blood pressure. Children and pregnant women (first three months). Patients with severe mental disorders or suicidal tendencies.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Alcohol, some TCADs, paraldehyde, warfarin, barbiturate drugs, antiepileptic drugs, metronidazole (antibacterial drug).

Known Side Effects

Fatigue and drowsiness, vomiting and nausea, bad breath (halitosis), reduced libido, allergic skin reactions, liver damage. Rarely, mental disturbances (mania, paranoia, schizophrenia, depression.