Alcohol tag – what it is, how to use it, contraindications, warnings, side effects

Proven content

The alcohol insert is a drug in the form of tablets for subcutaneous implantation, which is used as an auxiliary in the treatment of alcoholism. The use of an alcohol wipe is possible under the supervision of a physician, and the drug itself is only available on prescription. The action of the alcohol label is based on the long-term secretion of a substance that interferes with alcohol metabolism, which results in troublesome ailments after consuming alcoholic beverages. The effectiveness of the label also depends on other measures used in addiction therapy.

1. An alcohol label is implanted under the skin. It works for several months
2. This method is used as an aid in the treatment of alcoholism
3. Not everyone can use the label. The list of contraindications is quite long
4. You can find more such stories on the TvoiLokony home page

What is an alcohol tag?

The alcohol label is a type of pharmacotherapy used as an aid in the treatment of alcohol dependence. The name of the alcohol label is a woven implant – medicated tablets (disulfiram), which are implanted under the skin, and their effect will last for several months. During this time, the active substance that inhibits alcohol metabolism is released. As a consequence, when you drink alcohol, acetic aldehyde is deposited in the body, which is not converted into acetic acid. This causes it to occur symptoms of acetaldehyde poisoning, such as:

1. nausea;
2. vomiting;
3. dizziness;
4. feeling hot and flushing;
5. hypotension;
6. palpitations (tachycardia).

The use of an alcohol wipe is not a surefire way to cure alcoholism, but it can be part of treatment for this addiction. Disulfiram causes a number of unpleasant symptoms in an addicted person who reaches for alcohol. This is why the overall effect of this drug is to induce a reluctance to reach for the addictive substance.

Zobacz: Alcohol rehab – what it looks like, how much it costs, rehab at the National Health Fund

How are alcohol labels used?

The labels have the form sterile tablets that your doctor will insert under your skin. The procedure involves the distribution of 8–10 sub-fascia tablets. Another such procedure can be performed after waiting eight months.

Disulfiram – inserts and oral form

Alcohol woven labels are implantable tablets that contain disulfiram. It is not the only available form of this medicine for the treatment of alcoholism. Disulfiram also comes in a form oral tablets (Anticol) taken once a day. The duration of treatment with this preparation is determined by the doctor.

The alcohol label – history

The effect of disulfiram in the context of alcohol was discovered by accident in the 40s. This drug is an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase, which means that it inhibits the secretion of aldehyde dehydrogenase – an enzyme essential for the process of alcohol metabolism. Under normal circumstances, this enzyme breaks down acetaldehyde, one of the major metabolites of alcohol, turning it into acetic acid. In the absence of this enzyme Acetaldehyde is deposited in the body, and it is up to 30 times more toxic than alcohol. For this reason, the combination of disulfiram with alcohol causes severe and unpleasant ailments.

Before the discovery of disulfiram, there was a lack of effective pharmacological therapies with tangible results in the treatment of alcohol dependence. That is why disulfiram quickly became an alternative to previously used methods, including treatments with barbiturates and opium-containing agents.

The use of oral disulfiram tablets and woven labels has raised some controversy. The production of the drug was suspended in Poland in 2008, but it returned to the market two years later. However, in some countries the measure was withdrawn from the market. This applies, inter alia, to Western Europe and the United States.

Currently, the use of alcohol woven labels is considered a possible additional treatment for people suffering from alcoholism, but the patient’s informed consent is required and the therapy should be carried out under the supervision of a physician. Psychotherapy remains the basic method of coping with alcoholism.

Are you looking for facilities with an alcohol label in their offers? In the clinic.pl database you will find a list of centers with price lists.

Alcohol insert – contraindications and warnings

Using an alcohol label is not a solution for everyone. There are some contraindications to the use of this product with disulfiram:

1. allergic to disulfiram, thiocarbamates or any other ingredient of the drug;
2. cardiovascular diseases, including arterial hypertension, heart failure, ischemic heart disease or a history of peripheral circulatory failure;
3. suicide attempts, mental disorders or psychosis (does not apply to acute alcoholic psychoses);
4. the patient’s ongoing state of intoxication, as well as drinking ethyl alcohol or taking medications with alcohol within 12 hours prior to the insertion procedure.

In the case of pregnant women, suspecting or planning pregnancy, a medical consultation is necessary – the use of the drug is not recommended in these cases, unless a specialist decides otherwise.

In addition to the contraindications listed, follow the warnings they are intended to provide safe use of an alcohol label. It is important to inform the prescribing physician about diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, heart or respiratory diseases. These conditions may worsen if a patient taking disulfiram consumes alcohol.

There is also risk of discomfort resulting from the interaction between alcohol and disulfiram when using fluids with alcoholsuch as sauces, vinegar, mouthwashes, cough suppressants, warming agents, as well as aftershaves and some cosmetics.

Alcohol label – composition

In the case of Disulfiram WZF alcohol wipes, one tablet of the product contains 100 mg of disulfiram, as well as auxiliary substances, which include sodium chloride, mannitol and macrogol 6000. The preparation contains less than 23 mg (1 mmol) of sodium in one tablet, so it is considered to be sodium free.

Alcohol insert – side effects

Side effects may or may not occur after using an alcohol wipe. These include nausea, vomiting, somnolence, temporary impotence, fatigue, a taste of garlic or a metallic taste in the mouth. Depressive states, mania, psychotic reactions, paranoia or schizophrenia may occur in rare cases. Other possible side effects are allergic skin reactions, damage to hepatocytes or inflammation of the peripheral nerves. Tell your doctor about any side effects.

Alcohol tag – drug interactions

Alcohol woven labels can react not only with alcohol, so before implementing them, consult your doctor about the medications you are taking and any planned treatment. This applies, inter alia, to anticoagulants, diazepam, phenytoin, antipyrine or chlordiazepoxide, the effects of which are enhanced by disulfiram. This substance may also interact with rifampicin, chlorpromazine, amitriptyline, isoniazid, metronidazole and alfentanil.

Alcohol tag as part of addiction therapy

The alcohol label is not a cure for alcoholism, instead, it is one of the methods that can be used as an adjunct in therapeutic therapy. Other methods of fighting alcohol dependence, which are among the key ways to counteract this problem, include treatment in drug addiction centers, psychotherapy or using the support of self-help groups. Therefore, psychological help is necessary, as an alternative, it is possible to use pharmacotherapy, i.e. treatment with disulfiram or other drugs.

How much is an alcohol tag?

Alcohol dependence – other types of pharmacotherapy

The use of an alcohol wipe or oral disulfiram is one of the possible forms of support in the treatment of alcoholism. However, this is not always a recommended solution, and it may also be advised against by some specialists. Alternative medicinal products prescribed to people addicted to alcohol as an addition to psychotherapy are, for example, naltrexone (blocks endorphins that are secreted during alcohol consumption), acamprosate (reduces alcohol craving) or nalmefene.