What is disulfiram?

What is disulfiram?

Disulfiram blocks an enzyme that is involved in metabolizing alcohol intake. Disulfiram produces very unpleasant side effects when combined with alcohol in the body.

Disulfiram is used in certain people with chronic alcoholism. disulfiram can help keep you from drinking because of the unpleasant side effects that will occur if you consume alcohol while taking disulfiram. Disulfiram is used together with behavior modification, psychotherapy, and counseling support to help you stop drinking. This medicine is not a cure for alcoholism. Disulfiram may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important Information

You should not use disulfiram if you have recently taken metronidazole or paraldehyde, or if you have consumed any foods or products that contain alcohol (mouthwash, cough medicine, cooking wine or vinegar, certain desserts, and others).

Do not take disulfiram if you have consumed alcohol within the past 12 hours. Do not drink alcohol while taking disulfiram, and for up to 14 days after you stop taking this medicine. Disulfiram should never be given to a person without his or her knowledge of taking the medicine.

Disulfiram side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Even small amounts of alcohol can produce unpleasant symptoms while disulfiram is in your body. These symptoms include:

flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);

sweating, increased thirst, swelling, rapid weight gain;

nausea, severe vomiting;

neck pain, throbbing headache, blurred vision;

chest pain, shortness of breath (even with mild exertion);

fast or pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

confusion, weakness, spinning sensation, feeling unsteady;

or a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

How It Works

When you drink alcohol, your body metabolizes it into acetaldehyde, a very toxic substance that causes many of the hangover symptoms that occur after heavy drinking. Under normal circumstances, your body continues to oxidize acetaldehyde into acetic acid, which is harmless.

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