Antabuse (Disulfiram) is a medicine used to treat alcoholism. It acts by blocking the oxidation of alcohol at the acetaldehyde stage. The patient feels very badly when he takes even a small amount of alcohol. This medicine doesn’t cure alcoholism alone. It must be used in complex with other medicines as supportive therapy.
Important: take this medicine not earlier that 12 hours after taking alcohol. The pill can be either swallowed whole or crushed and mixed with water.
While you are treating with Antabuse do not take any medicine containing alcohol even in small amounts.
Store this medicine at temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C, away from moisture and light. Do not store Antabuse in the bathroom.
This medicine must be used only consciously.
Antabuse Safety information
Do not take alcohol while to treatment with this medicine. Taking alcohol during treatment with Antabuse can cause sweating, dizziness, headache, flushing, nausea, pounding heart (palpitations), vomiting, blurred vision or weakness.
Take Antabuse with caution if:
- you have heart disease;
- you have liver or kidney disease;
- you have psychiatric problems;
- you have diabetes;
- you have any allergies (especially to rubber or pesticides);
- you are pregnant or you are breast-feeding.
Do not perform any unsafe tasks during treatment with Antabuse for example driving. Because it can decrease concentration.
Antabuse Side effects
Possible is the appearance of such side effects as acne, headache, garlic-like aftertaste, drowsiness, restlessness, rash, changes in vision.
If these side effects do not disappear or worsen, or such side effects as tingling hands or feet, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, strong stomach pains, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin appear, consult your doctor as soon as possible. If you experienced severe allergic reaction while using Antabuse, call emergency.
