DISULFIRAM

Brand & Generic Names

Antabuse

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: None

Uses

Treatment for alcoholism. Will not cure alcoholism, but is a powerful deterrent to drinking.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
Morning or bedtime. Avoid if you have used any alcohol, tonics, cough syrups, fermented vinegar, after-shave lotion or backrub solutions within 12 hours.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 12 hours late. If more than 12 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
In combination with alcohol, produces a metabolic change that causes severe, temporary toxicity.

Time lapse before drug works:
3 to 12 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Non-prescription drugs that contain any alcohol.
Any other central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs*.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Memory loss, behavior disturbances, lethargy, confusion and headaches; nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea; weakness and unsteady walk; temporary paralysis.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Drowsiness.

Infrequent:

• Eye pain, vision changes, abdominal discomfort, throbbing headache, numbness in hands and feet.
• Mood change, decreased sexual ability in men, tiredness.
• Bad taste in mouth (metal or garlic).

Rare:

Rash, jaundice.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to disulfiram (alcohol-disulfiram combination is not an allergic reaction).
• You have used alcohol in any form or amount within 12 hours.
• You have taken paraldehyde within 1 week.
• You have heart disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have allergies.
• If you plan to become pregnant within medication period.
• If no one has explained to you how disulfiram reacts.
• If you think you cannot avoid drinking.
• If you have diabetes, epilepsy, liver or kidney disease.
• If you take other drugs.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Studies inconclusive. Consult your doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Periodic blood cell counts and liver function tests recommended if you take this drug a long time.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if you feel drowsy or have vision side effects. Otherwise, no restrictions.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment. Avoid alcohol at least 14 days following last dose.

Others:
Check all liquids that you take or rub on for presence of alcohol.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*	Possible unexplained bleeding.
Anticonvulsants*	Excessive sedation.
Barbiturates*	Excessive sedation.
Cephalosporins*	Disulfiram reaction*.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either drug.
Isoniazid	Unsteady walk and disturbed
	behavior.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Metronidazole	Disulfiram reaction*.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Paraldehyde	Increased paraldehyde effect. Avoid
	simultaneous use.
Sedatives*	Excessive sedation.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of
	both drugs.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Any form or	Possible life-
amount.	threatening toxicity.
	See disulfiram reaction*.
Punch or fruit drink	Disulfiram reaction*.
Cocaine:	Increased disulfiram effect.
Sauces, fermented	Disulfiram reaction*.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.