Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

disulfiram 333
HEALTH RISKS OF DEXTROMETHORPHAN ABUSE
Short Term
confusion
double vision
NAUSEA and VOMITING
sudden death
Long Term
ARRHYTHMIA
chronic hallucinations
disorientation
HALLUCINATION
seizures
tachycardia (rapid HEART beat)
BRAIN damage
neuromotor dysfunction
See also ANALGESIC MEDICATIONS; HALLUCINOGENS;
HEPATOTOXINS; NARCOTICS; OPIATES; PRESCRIPTION DRUG
ABUSE.
disulfiram A medication that blocks the action
of the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in the
second stage of ALCOHOL METABOLISM. This inhibition
prevents the conversion of acetaldehyde, a
potent toxin, to relatively harmless acetic acid.
The consequence is rapid accumulation of
acetaldehyde in the BLOOD circulation, causing an
array of extremely unpleasant symptoms similar
to severe hangover. The intensity of symptoms
correlates directly to the DOSE of disulfiram and
the amount of alcohol consumed.
Disulfiram, better known by its trade name
Antabuse, may be among the treatments for ALCO-
HOLISM. Though disulfiram is very effective for
controlling alcohol consumption, it does not cure
alcoholism. Symptoms that occur with the combination
of disulfiram and alcohol, called the disulfiram–alcohol
reaction, include
• throbbing HEADACHE
• intense thirst and profuse VOMITING
• excessive sweating
• PALPITATIONS and CHEST PAIN
• blurred vision
• HYPERVENTILATION and DYSPNEA (shortness of
breath)
Symptoms typically begin about 10 minutes
after consuming alcohol and last 60 to 90 minutes.
Though disulfiram can be very effective in helping
maintain SOBRIETY in people who stringently comply
with the conditions of treatment, it can cause
severe and potentially life threatening symptoms
when alcohol consumption is substantial. Such
severe symptoms require emergency medical
attention. Among them are tachycardia (rapid
HEART RATE), ARRHYTHMIA (irregular HEART rate),
seizures, and RESPIRATORY FAILURE.
Because so many products and substances,
including medications, can contain
ALCOHOL, health-care providers
recommend that anyone taking disulfiram
carry a wallet card that identifies
them as on disulfiram therapy and the
contact information for the prescribing
physician.
Abstinence from alcohol prevents symptoms. It
is essential to avoid all products that contain alcohol.
Common sources of alcohol include alcoholic
beverages (beer, wine, mixed drinks), salad dressings,
food sauces, cough and cold preparations,
any medicinal preparations labeled elixirs, mouthwashes,
and some COLD SORE treatments. Topical
products that contain alcohol, such as aftershave
lotion, may also activate the disulfiram–alcohol
reaction. Ingesting alcohol in any quantity in the
12 hours before the first disulfiram dose or up to
14 days after the last disulfiram dose will produce
symptoms.
See also INTOXICATION; METHADONE; NALTREXONE.