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Disulfiram is a drug and its component with the same name. Disulfiram is an organic chemical that is used in the treatment of alcoholism by affecting the metabolism of ethyl alcohol. Oral Disulfiram is usually taken 500 mg once a day or in the evening when the sedative effect is significantly increased. The drug is used for 7-14 days. At the next stage, the dose is reduced to the so-called maintenance (250 mg / d). Treatment is discontinued gradually by reducing the doses slowly. Disulfiram also comes in the form of sterile implantable tablets. The label is implanted sub-fascia, placing 8 to 10 tablets in a star pattern. The procedure can be repeated after 8 months.
Disulfiram – contraindications and side effects
As with any other medication, there are contraindications which limit the use of Disulfiram. People who are hypersensitive to disulfiram, thiocarbamates or any of the ingredients of the drug should not use it. Being in a state of intoxication and cardiovascular diseases, including: heart failure, ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, and previous peripheral circulatory failure also exclude taking Disulfiram. Other contraindications are mental disorders, psychoses or suicide attempts, indicated in the history.
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Disulfiram should not be used in the form of oral tablets earlier than 24 hours, and in the form of a wafer earlier than 12 hours, after consuming alcohol. It is important that the symptoms of alcohol intolerance may also appear after the use of alcohol-containing products – sauces, vinegar, antitussive syrups, warming agents, aftershaves, mouthwashes and other cosmetics. Caution should be exercised in patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency, respiratory or heart disease, diabetes or epilepsy. The disulfiram reaction may aggravate these diseases. The drug is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The list of side effects includes: drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, a metallic taste or garlic taste in the mouth, temporary impotence, easy fatigue. There are also psychotic reactions – states of depression, paranoia, schizophrenia, mania. May appear: skin allergic reactions, inflammation of the peripheral nerves, damage to hepatocytes. Symptoms of overdose are: vomiting, drowsiness, fatigue, apathy, ataxia.
Disulfiram and the treatment of alcoholism – the insert
The alcohol label in the form of Disulfiram inhibits the metabolism of ethyl alcohol and blocks the action of the second enzyme (aldehyde dehydrogenase), preventing the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetic acid. As a result of this process, acetic aldehyde accumulating in the patient’s body causes a number of symptoms of poisoning and unpleasant ailments, including: red face, breathlessness, pulsating headache, nausea, vomiting or accelerated heartbeat.
Within 5-10 minutes after consuming alcohol, a person using Disulfiram begins to experience unpleasant symptoms. This situation is to prevent the patient from consuming alcoholic beverages and, in the future, to make him completely give up drinking alcohol. Disulfiram wafer is placed under the patient’s skin during a simple surgical procedure. The drug in this form works for about a year.