Full Answer
What is Antabuse used for?
What is Antabuse? Antabuse (disulfiram) blocks an enzyme that is involved in processing alcohol. Disulfiram produces very unpleasant side effects (such as fast heartbeat, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, flushing, and thirst) when combined with alcohol in the body. Antabuse is used in certain people with chronic alcoholism.
What are the side effects of Antabuse and alcohol?
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out. More severe symptoms may occur when Antabuse and large amounts of alcohol are used together, such as severe chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, slow heart rate, weak pulse, seizure, fainting, weak or shallow breathing, or slow breathing (breathing may stop).
What is Antabuse (Disulfiram)?
What is Antabuse? Antabuse (disulfiram) blocks an enzyme that is involved in processing alcohol. Disulfiram produces very unpleasant side effects (such as fast heartbeat, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, flushing, and thirst) when combined with alcohol in the body.
Can I give Antabuse to a family member for treatment?
When Antabuse is used as part of a treatment program for alcohol addiction or detoxification, your doctor may recommend that this medicine be given to you by a family member or other caregiver. This is to make sure you are using the medicine as it was prescribed as part of your treatment.
What class is Antabuse?
DisulfideDisulfiram / ClassificationIn biochemistry, a disulfide refers to a functional group with the structure R−S−S−R′. The linkage is also called an SS-bond or sometimes a disulfide bridge and is usually derived by the coupling of two thiol groups. Wikipedia
Is disulfiram a controlled substance?
These products are legally dispensed only by prescription and is currently marketed under the trade names Antibuse and Antiban. Disulfiram has also been approved for use by the Federal Drug Administration. It has not been classified as a controlled substance.
What are the side effects for Antabuse?
Drowsiness, tiredness, headache, acne, and metallic/garlic-like taste in the mouth may occur as your body gets used to the medication. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
What is disulfiram and how does it work?
Disulfiram is a medication that is used to treat alcohol use disorder. Disulfiram works by blocking the breakdown of alcohol in the body. This leads to buildup of a toxic alcohol-related compound that can cause people who drink alcohol while taking this medication to become very sick.
Is Antabuse an agonist?
Antabuse is an alcohol antagonist and Vivitrol is an opioid antagonist.
Is disulfiram an antagonist?
Disulfiram (Antabuse) is an alcohol antagonist. This means it stops an enzyme from metabolizing (breaking down) alcohol. This makes your body sensitive to alcohol and you'll have an unpleasant reaction if you drink any alcohol.
What causes disulfiram reaction?
The disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER) is due to increased serum acetaldehyde concentrations generated by the metabolism of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver. Normally, this acetaldehyde is cleared rapidly by its metabolism to acetate via aldehyde dehydrogenase.
What enzyme does disulfiram inhibit?
Disulfiram irreversibly inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1A1) by competing with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) at the cysteine residue in the active site of the enzyme. ALDH1A1 is a hepatic enzyme of the major oxidative pathway of alcohol metabolism, converting acetaldehyde to acetate.
What drug is commonly used to treat alcoholics?
Three medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat alcohol use disorder: acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. Acamprosate and naltrexone reduce alcohol consumption and increase abstinence rates, although the effects appear to be modest.
What kind of a molecule is disulfiram?
Disulfiram is an organic disulfide that results from the formal oxidative dimerisation of N,N-diethyldithiocarbamic acid. A multi-enzyme inhibitor that is used in alcohol aversion therapy and also exhibits anticancer properties.
Is disulfiram a benzodiazepine?
Disulfiram Produces Potent Anxiolytic-Like Effects Without Benzodiazepine Anxiolytics-Related Adverse Effects in Mice. Disulfiram is an FDA approved drug for the treatment of alcoholism. The drug acts by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase, an enzyme essential to alcohol metabolism.
Is disulfiram an antibiotic?
Sixteen disulfides derived from disulfiram (Antabuse™) were evaluated as antibacterial agents. Derivatives with hydrocarbon chains of seven and eight carbons in length exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus, and Listeria spp.
Before Taking This Medicine
Do not take Antabuse if you have consumed alcohol within the past 12 hours. Do not drink alcohol while taking disulfiram and for up to 14 days afte...
How Should I Take Antabuse?
Take Antabuse exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose t...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Take the rest of the day's doses at evenly spaced intervals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What Should I Avoid While Taking Antabuse?
Do not drink alcohol while taking Antabuse. Avoid situations that might tempt you to drink.See also: Antabuse and alcohol (in more detail)Be aware...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Antabuse?
Other drugs may interact with disulfiram, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your h...