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Home > Medicines & Drugs > Disulfiram

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Disulfiram

  • It is important that you have not had any alcohol in the 24 hours before starting this treatment.
  • You must not drink ANY alcohol with disulfiram.
  • Make sure any medicines or toiletries you buy do not contain alcohol.

About disulfiram

Type of medicineAldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor
Used forUsed to help treat drinking problems
Also calledAntabuse®
Available asTablets

Disulfiram is used as a deterrent to drinking alcohol. It is used alongside other treatments in alcohol dependence.

It works by interfering with the way your body breaks down alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol taken with disulfiram will produce extremely unpleasant reactions such as a throbbing headache, flushed face, palpitations and sickness. This reaction will stop you from wanting to drink alcohol.

Before taking disulfiram

Before taking disulfiram make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you have heart failure or heart disease.
  • If you have high blood pressure.
  • If you have experienced mental health problems.
  • If you have ever had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
  • If you have liver or kidney problems.
  • If you have diabetes mellitus.
  • If you have epilepsy.
  • If you have breathing problems.
  • If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
  • If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

How to take disulfiram

  • Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
  • Disulfiram is usually started in hospital or in a clinic. It is usually taken once each day in the morning.
  • It is important that you have not drunk alcohol for at least 24 hours before taking your first dose.
  • Take disulfiram exactly as you have been told.
  • You must not drink ANY alcohol during this treatment.
  • If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is still within 12 hours of when the dose was due. If you do not remember until after 12 hours, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • Disulfiram is usually started in hospital or in a clinic and then it is supervised by a specialist. Keep your regular appointments so your progress can be monitored.
  • Even small amounts of alcohol with disulfiram may produce extremely severe and potentially dangerous reactions. Your face will become flushed, you may feel or be sick, your heart rate may beat faster, you may feel dizzy or get a headache. These reactions start after 10 minutes and can last several hours.
  • These symptoms, known as the disulfiram-alcohol reaction, vary in how bad they are from person to person and may require hospital treatment.
  • Certain foods, liquid medicines, toiletries, perfumes, mouthwashes and aerosol sprays may contain enough alcohol to cause a disulfiram-alcohol reaction. Before buying any medicines or toiletries, check the label to make sure they are alcohol-free.
  • Low alcohol and "non-alcohol" or "alcohol-free" beers and wines, may cause a reaction when taken in large enough quantities.
  • Make sure your family and friends know how important it is that you do not drink any alcohol while you are taking disulfiram so they can be a support to you.

Can disulfiram cause problems

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicineWhat can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sickEat little and often. Stick to simple or bland foods and avoid rich, spicy foods. If you are sick, drink plenty of liquid
DrowsinessMake sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert
Other possible effects: bad breath, allergic skin reactions, and reduced sexual desireIf any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor

How to store disulfiram

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having an operation or any dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

References

  • Manufacturer's PIL, Antabuse® Tablets 200mg, Actavis UK Ltd, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated March 2010.
  • British National Formulary; 60th Edition (September 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
© EMIS 2011DocID: 3347DocRef: dils2334Last Reviewed: 10 Mar 2011Version: 23
For the planned review period see the Data Creation and Quality Control Process.
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