Disulfiram: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Medicine Disulfiram?

What is disulfiram for?

Disulfiram is a tablet form of oral medication used in the treatment of alcoholism. This drug will make alcohol difficult to digest and process in the body. That way, the body will not detect the presence of alcohol and prevent addiction symptoms.

Usually, this drug is used as a supporting drug in a health consultation that aims to help someone get rid of alcohol addiction.

This drug is classified as a prescription drug. This means that you cannot buy disulfiram at the pharmacy if it is not accompanied by a doctor's prescription.

How to use disulfiram?

Some things that must be considered regarding how to use disulfiram, including:

• This medicine can be consumed either with food or not. Both ways are safe for you to do while taking this drug.
• These medicinal tablets can be crushed and mixed with any food or drink.
• Usually, this medication is taken once a day in the morning or as instructed by your doctor.
• You may use this medication just before bed if it causes drowsiness.
• Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. The maximum recommended daily dose is 500 milligrams (mg).
• Use this remedy regularly to get its benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day.
• Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store disulfiram?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist about how to safely dispose of your product.

Disulfiram dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of disulfiram for adults?

Adult dosage for alcohol dependence

Initial dose: 500 mg orally once a day. This dosage is usually continued for the first 1 to 2 weeks and abstinence from using ethanol.

Maintenance dose: 250 mg orally once a day. The use of disulfiram is generally continued for a minimum of 6 months to 1 year and abstain from ethanol. The maximum recommended dose is 500 mg / day.

What is the dose of disulfram for children?

The dose of this medicine for children has not been determined. Talk to your doctor first if you want to use this drug for children.

In what dosage is disulfram available?

Tablet, Oral:

Antabuse: 250 milligrams (mg), 500 mg

Generic: 250 mg, 500 mg

Disulfiram side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to disulfiram?

Common side effects due to the use of disulfiram include:

• sleepy
• fatigue
• headache
• acne
• such as a metallic taste or garlic taste in your mouth as your body gets used to the medicine

Meanwhile, here are the serious side effects that may occur. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using disulfiram and seek emergency medical help:

• allergic reactions (swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, shortness of breath, blockage of the throat, or hives)
• seizures
• extreme fatigue
• dark colored urine
• yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
• change in appetite
• weakness, dizziness or loss of coordination
• severe diarrhea or vomiting

Other, less serious side effects are more likely. Continue to use disulfiram and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• skin rash or acne
• mild headache
• mild drowsiness or fatigue
• impotence
• metallic taste in mouth
• swollen or sore tongue.

Not everyone experiences the side effects mentioned above. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Disulfiram Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using disulfiram?

Before using disulfiram, do the following:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to disulfiram
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following: amitriptyline (Elavil), anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin), isoniazid, metronidazole (Flagyl), phenytoin (Dilantin), nonprescription drugs that may contain alcohol, and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, thyroid disease, epilepsy, brain damage, or kidney and liver disease
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using disulfiram, contact your doctor
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about using disulfiram

You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug reacts to your body.

Is Disulfiram safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are not adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before using this medicine while breastfeeding.

However, this drug is included in pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Meanwhile, if a nursing mother must use this medicine, then the mother should decide to stop using the drug or stop breastfeeding temporarily while using this medicine.

Disulfiram Drug Interactions

What other medicines may interact with disulfiram?

There are several drugs that when used together can cause interactions and interfere with each other's function. However, there are also drugs that are recommended to be used together. For this you should discuss with your doctor.

Meanwhile, there are other medicines that are not recommended to be taken together with disulfiram. For drugs that should not be used in conjunction with dilsufiram, the doctor will usually stop using the drug.

However, if these drugs still have to be taken, usually the doctor will change the type with another drug that is more suitable for the drug dilsufiram. The drugs that are not recommended are:

• Amprenavir
• Metronidazole
• Paraldehyde

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or change how often you use one or both drugs.

• Clozapine
• Tinidazole
• Tranylcypromine

Using this medication with any of the following medicines may increase your risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or change how often you use one or both drugs.

• Anisindione
• Diazepam
• Dicumarol
• Fosphenytoin
• Isoniazid
• Omeprazole
• Phenprocoumon
• Phenytoin
• Theophylline
• Warfarin

Can food or alcohol interact with disulfiram?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with disulfiram?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems:

• asthma or other lung disease
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• heart disease or vascular disease
• Kidney illness
• liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver
• underactive thyroid gland
• depression
• severe mental illness
• allergy

Disulfiram overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.