DISULFIRAM belongs to the class of medications called 'Antabuse' used to treat alcohol dependence or chronic alcoholism. Heavy long-term use of alcohol can cause addiction in an individual, thereby making changes in your brain. Long-term alcohol intake can severely damage your liver and cause liver cirrhosis or fatty liver syndrome.
DISULFIRAM contains 'Disulfiram', which works by blocking an enzyme that breakdown alcohol in our body. When a patient drinks alcohol, it is changed into acetaldehyde, DISULFIRAM blocks the enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde. This results in a higher level of acetaldehyde in the blood, causing discomfort and physical reactions. DISULFIRAM can help alcohol-addicted people who have decided to quit alcohol drinking by deterring them from drinking again. So, it acts as a supportive agent in the treatment of alcoholism.
DISULFIRAM should be taken as prescribed by your doctor, with or without a meal, to avoid stomach upset and at fixed daily intervals for best results. The common side effects of DISULFIRAM include drowsiness, tiredness, headache, acne, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling), sweating, increased thirst, swelling, rapid weight gain, nausea, severe vomiting, neck pain, throbbing headache, blurred vision, fast or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, confusion, weakness, spinning sensation, feeling unsteady, or and metallic/garlic-like taste in the mouth may occur as your body gets used to the medication. Everyone need not experience the above side effects. If the DISULFIRAM causes any serious case of discomfort, speak with a doctor.
Before starting DISULFIRAM, do not take DISULFIRAM if you have consumed alcohol within the past 12 hours. Do not consume alcohol while taking DISULFIRAM and at least up to 14 days after you stop taking DISULFIRAM. If your doctor prescribes, DISULFIRAM is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Unpleasant effects may occur after taking minimal amounts of alcohol used in cooking or even if rubbed into the skin. Avoid alcohol-containing aftershave, perfumes/colognes, body lotions, vinegar and alcohol-containing mouthwash and hand sanitiser. Even exposure to alcohol-based hand sanitisers in some people can trigger a serious side effect response. Hence hand-washing with water and soap is recommended instead.
Alcohol addiction
DISULFIRAM contains 'Disulfiram', which belongs to 'Antabuse' used to treat alcohol dependence. It works by blocking an enzyme (acetaldehyde) that helps break alcohol in the body. DISULFIRAM helps alcohol-dependent people who have decided to quit alcohol drinking by deterring them from drinking again.
Before taking the DISULFIRAM, let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, sensitivities, and all medications you are using. Signs of an overdose of DISULFIRAM include feeling or being sick, stomach pain, diarrhoea, drowsiness, mental disorders, tiredness, rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, high body temperature, low blood pressure, loss of muscle control, high blood sugar, changes in the blood (as seen in blood tests). Certain foods, liquid medicines, remedies, tonics, toiletries, perfumes, and sprays may contain enough alcohol to cause a disulfiram tablet-alcohol reaction. So avoid using any alcohol-containing drugs, hand wash, mouth wash or alcoholic beverages as it may lead to an 'aldehyde reaction'.
Drug-Drug interactions: DISULFIRAM interacts with anti-seizure drugs (phenytoin), anti-asthma drugs (theophylline), blood thinners (warfarin, dicumarol), anti-tuberculosis drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid), sedatives (chlordiazepoxide, diazepam), antipsychotics (pimozide), anti-depressants (amitriptyline), mental health drugs (chlorpromazine), and antimicrobial drugs (metronidazole).
Drug-Food interactions: Avoid taking DISULFIRAM with caffeinated products like chocolate, coffee, energy drinks & tea. The patient is advised to avoid alcoholic beverages or alcohol-containing products/foods (e.g., cough and cold syrups, mouthwash, aftershave, sauces, and vinegar) while taking this medication and for two weeks after stopping the medication.
Drug-Disease interactions: DISULFIRAM is to be avoided in a patient with coronary artery disease, mental disorder, diabetes, underactive thyroid gland, brain seizures, brain damage, kidney disease & liver disease.
Not recommended for alcoholism as DISULFIRAM and alcohol causes severe 'aldehyde reaction' causing life-threatening conditions.
Not enough data available but DISULFIRAM is not given in pregnant females unless recommended in a doctor.
Not recommended as such, as not enough data is available. Breastfeeding mothers should consult a doctor before taking the DISULFIRAM.
Not recommended before driving. DISULFIRAM has been found to cause drowsiness in the patient. Hence, taking DISULFIRAM before driving or performing hazardous tasks is not recommended.
Not recommended in liver patients. DISULFIRAM has been found to cause liver damage in patients & hence not recommended to be taken without doctors consultation.
Not recommended in kidney patients. DISULFIRAM should be taken by kidney patients only on doctors consultation.
Strictly not recommended in children. it may result in neurological interactions resulting in harmful symptoms.
Chronic alcoholism: Alcoholism is the addictive drinking of alcohol that results in physical & mental problems. A person can become an alcoholic out of stress, depression or just after developing a chronic habit. Excessive alcohol use can damage various organs like the brain, heart, kidneys and most importantly, the liver, which leads to liver cirrhosis (liver dysfunction). In most severe cases, there is an immediate need for liver transplantation. During pregnancy, drinking alcohol in large amounts affects the unborn baby and may lead to various birth complications.