disulfiram

Generic Name: disulfiram (die sul FER am)

Brand Names: Antabuse

What is disulfiram?

Disulfiram interferes with the metabolism of alcohol resulting in unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed.

Disulfiram is used to treat chronic alcoholism.

Disulfiram may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about disulfiram?

Do not drink alcohol while taking disulfiram. Flushing, fast heartbeats, nausea, thirst, chest pain, vertigo, and low blood pressure may occur when alcohol is ingested during disulfiram therapy.

Do not take disulfiram for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol.

Reactions may occur from drinking alcohol for several weeks after you have stopped taking disulfiram.

Be aware of the alcohol content of other common products such as cough and cold medicines, mouth washes, tonics, sauces, vinegars, and other food products. Alcohol in these products can also cause a reaction.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking disulfiram?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• liver disease,


• kidney disease;


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  thyroid disease;

  
  


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  diabetes;

  
  


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  brain damage or mental disorders;

  
  


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  epilepsy or another seizure disorder.

  
  

You may not be able to take disulfiram, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during your therapy if you have any of these conditions.

Your doctor may want you to carry an identification card that states you are taking disulfiram. Ask your health care provider if you have any questions about this.

Disulfiram is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether disulfiram will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Disulfiram passes into breast milk in small amounts and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take disulfiram without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take disulfiram?

Take disulfiram exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water. Store disulfiram at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Disulfiram dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take the rest of the day's doses at evenly spaced intervals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a disulfiram overdose include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of coordination, numbness and tingling, and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking disulfiram?

Do not drink alcohol while taking disulfiram. Flushing, fast heartbeats, nausea, thirst, chest pain, vertigo, and low blood pressure may occur when alcohol is ingested during disulfiram therapy.

Do not take disulfiram for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol.

Reactions may occur from drinking alcohol for several weeks after you have stopped taking disulfiram.

Be aware of the alcohol content of other common products such as cough and cold medicines and food products. Alcohol in these products can also cause a reaction.

Tell your doctor (or dentist) that you are taking disulfiram before taking an antibiotic or before having surgery.

Do not come in contact or breathe the fumes of products that may contain alcohol including paint thinners, solvents, stains, lacquers and others. Use caution when applying or using products that may contain alcohol including aftershaves, mouthwashes, colognes, perfumes, antiseptics and others. Talk to your doctor or phaarmacist if you have questions regarding product alcohol content.

Disulfiram side effects

Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems have occurred in patients taking disulfiram even without a prior history of liver problems.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking disulfiram and seek emergency medical attention:

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  an allergic reaction (swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; shortness of breath; closing of your throat; or hives);

  
  


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  seizures;

  
  


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  extreme tiredness;

  
  


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  dark urine;

  
  


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  yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice);

  
  


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  large appetite changes;

  
  


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  weakness, dizziness or loss of coordination; or

  
  


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  severe diarrhea or vomiting.

  
  

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take disulfiram and talk to your doctor if you experience

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  skin rash or acne;

  
  


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  mild headaches;

  
  


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  mild drowsiness or tiredness;

  
  


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  impotence;

  
  


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  metallic taste in the mouth; or

  
  


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  swollen or sore tongue.

  
  

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Disulfiram Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Alcohol Dependence:

Initial: 500 mg orally once a day. This dose is generally continued for the first 1 to 2 weeks of abstinence of ethanol.

Maintenance: 250 mg orally once a day. Disulfiram is generally continued for at least 6 months to 1 year of abstinence from ethanol.

The maximum recommended dose is 500 mg/day.

What other drugs will affect disulfiram?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• 
  

  isoniazid (Nydrazid);

  
  


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  a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

  
  


• a benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), and others;


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  a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;

  
  


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  warfarin (Coumadin);

  
  


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  metronidazole (Flagyl);

  
  


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  theophylline (Theo-Dur);

  
  


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  phenytoin (Dilantin);

  
  


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  lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others).

  
  

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with disulfiram. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

More disulfiram resources

• Disulfiram Side Effects (in more detail)
• Disulfiram Dosage
• Disulfiram Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Disulfiram Drug Interactions
• Disulfiram Support Group
• 18 Reviews for Disulfiram - Add your own review/rating

• disulfiram Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Disulfiram Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Disulfiram Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Disulfiram Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Disulfiram MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Antabuse Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Antabuse Consumer Overview

Compare disulfiram with other medications

• Alcohol Dependence

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about disulfiram written for health professionals that you may read.

See also: disulfiram side effects (in more detail)