Disulfiram is a drug to help overcome alcohol addiction by causing sensations and discomfort when the patient consumes alcohol. This drug cannot cure alcohol addiction. Disulfiram is available in tablet form.
Disulfiram works by causing unpleasant effects, such as chest pain, vomiting, headache, or palpitations, when the sufferer consumes alcoholic beverages. This uncomfortable feeling and sensation is expected to reduce the desire to consume alcoholic beverages.
This drug is only used to help alcoholics who are undergoing behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, or counseling.
Trademark of disulfiram: -
What is Disulfiram
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Alcohol antagonist |
| Benefit | Help overcome alcohol addiction |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Disulfiram for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether disulfiram is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Warning Before Taking Disulfiram
Disulfiram should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. The following are some things you need to pay attention to before taking disulfiram:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Disulfiram should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, seizures, epilepsy, head injury, thyroid disease, mental disorders, such as psychosis.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain supplements, herbal products, or medications, including metronidazole or paraldehyde.
- Do not consume alcohol or products containing alcohol while taking disulfiram until 14 days after stopping this drug.
- Avoid driving a vehicle or doing activities that require alertness after taking disulfiram, because this drug can cause drowsiness.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking disulfiram if you plan to have surgery or certain medical procedures.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking disulfiram.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Disulfiram
The dose of disulfiram will be determined by the doctor according to the patient's condition. In general, to overcome alcohol addiction the first day dose is 800 mg once a day. The dose will be reduced by 200 mg per day to reach a maintenance dose of 100–200 mg per day.
How to Take Disulfiram Correctly
Take disulfiram as directed by your doctor and the instructions on the medicine package. Do not change the dose without consulting your doctor first.
This drug cannot cure alcoholism, but will cause unpleasant sensations and feelings after consuming alcohol.
While on treatment with disulfiram you should not consume alcohol, or other products that contain alcohol, including mouthwash, cough cold syrup, or additional sweeteners.
Disulfiram tablets are recommended to be taken in the morning, before or after meals. If you feel sleepy after taking disulfiram, try to take it at night before going to bed.
If you forget to take disulfiram, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of your next dose, ignore the missed dose. Do not double the dose of disulfiram to make up for a missed dose.
Store disulfiram in a place away from direct sunlight. Keep disulfiram out of reach of children.
Interactions of Disulfiram with Other Drugs
There are several interaction effects that can occur if disulfiram is taken with certain drugs, including:
- Increased toxic effect of metronidazole
- Increased effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs, phenytoin, or theophylline
- Increased risk of behavioral disorders when used with benzodiazepine drugs
- Increased blood levels of disulfiram when used with paraldehyde
- Increased effects or uncomfortable reactions when taken with amitriptyiline or chlorpromazine
- Increased risk of brain damage if taken with pimozide
Side Effects and Dangers of Disulfiram
In addition to causing a reaction or sensation of discomfort after consuming alcohol, there are several other side effects that can arise after taking disulfiram, namely:
- Drowsiness
- Unusual tired
- Headache
- Acne appears
- There is a metallic or onion taste in the mouth
Check with a doctor if the complaints mentioned above do not go away or get worse. See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug or a serious side effect, such as:
- Decreased sexual desire or impotence
- Mood swings, such as restlessness, confusion, or unusual excitement
- Impaired vision, tingling, or seizures
- Severe stomach pain, persistent nausea and vomiting, dark urine, or jaundice