Esperal – action, effectiveness and side effects

Proven content

Alcoholism is a disease that cannot be cured of. An alcoholic will always remain an alcoholic, only a sober alcoholic. The road to treating alcoholism is long and arduous. In order to stop drinking, the drinker’s willingness to be treated must first arise. However, this is not enough, there are many components to be successful. Willingness alone is not enough, the alcoholic must participate in addiction therapy, alcohol meetings, and drug therapy, including therapy with esperal (disulfiram). This therapy is colloquially referred to as woven labels, alcohol sewing, sewing up, alcoholic sewing, esperal sewn-in. How does Esperal work? Is it effective in treating alcoholism? Does it cause unwanted side effects?

The active substance of the drug is Disulfiram. Each implantable tablet contains 100 mg of disulfiram, the excipients are sodium chloride, mannitol and macrogol 6000.

If ethanol is consumed after implantation of the drug, the concentration of acetaldehyde in the body increases and the symptoms of poisoning with this compound. Jest on ok. 30-krotnie silniejszą toksyną niż alkohol i powoduje szereg niepożądanych dolegliwości, które mają działać awersyjnie na osobę uzależnioną.

Also read: What are the symptoms of alcohol dependence?

Esperal – method of administration and dosage

Esperal can be taken in two ways: by using the so-called “Woven labels” and orally. In the case of implantation, the tablets are implanted subcutaneously, placing 8 to 10 tablets in a star pattern. This procedure is carried out by a doctor, and the dose is determined according to the age, condition of the patient and the degree of disease development. The next treatment can be repeated after 8 months.

Esperal can also be taken orally. The therapy can be started after 24 hours of abstinence at the earliest. Usually one tablet is taken in the morning for one to two weeks, followed by half a tablet for as long as prescribed by your doctor. However, you should not continue taking the drug for more than 6 months without further medical consultations.

See: Alcohol Abuse and Skin Cancer

How does the label work? It is not a drug that will cure a patient of alcoholism. It acts as a deterrent and repulsive. Disulfiram is secreted all the time, which is indifferent to the body. It only starts to work when it reacts with alcohol. Then, it comes to poisoning with this compound and the emergence of a number of negative consequences, including:

1. nausea,
2. vomiting,
3. flushing of the face with hot flush,
4. tachycardia,
5. hypotension,
6. dizziness,
7. feeling short of breath
8. bow.

The severity of the above-mentioned symptoms depends on the amount of alcohol you drink. Symptoms may last from several to several hours. In severe cases, when the concentration of alcohol in the blood exceeds 125-150 mg / 100 ml, then it may occur respiratory failure, circulatory failure, arrhythmias, heart attack, convulsions, loss of consciousness and may even be fatal.

It should be noted that symptoms may appear even after the use of products that contain alcohol, such as mouthwashes, sauces, vinegar, antitussive syrups, warming agents, aftershaves and other cosmetics.

Esperal – effectiveness

People who have gone through it at least once or listened to the doctor do not want to experience these experiences. It is the fear of such severe sensations that causes patients to avoid alcohol. This does not mean that they have been cured of the disease of alcoholism. When the patient stops taking the pills or the insert is removed, he often returns to the addiction.

Also read: Difficult childhood causes alcoholism

Disulfiram is therefore for those addicts who want to quit drinking, but do not have enough strength and self-denial to undergo effective therapy. However, during the period of forced abstinence, they start therapy which gives them chances, but not certainty, that they will not use alcohol anymore. There is never certainty.

Are you thinking about implanting Esperal? Familiarize yourself with the offers of clinics that offer this treatment.

“Swing” with Esperal

Tablets or inserts give hope to get rid of the addiction. In any case, the alcoholic can live sober for several months, which is a lot, because during this time he can improve his health, improve relations in the family and at work. Some patients assume that they will drink alcohol as soon as disulfiram stops working and count the days until they can empty the bottle with impunity, and the hangover will be normal, not multiple. After a while they “sew up” again, then drink, reach for Esperal again, and… this is how the swing continues.

Esperal – contraindications

Esperal should not be used in patients who are allergic to the active substance of the drug (disulfiram) or any of the excipients. Moreover:

1. if you are drunk or drunk or have used alcohol-containing medicines in the last 12 hours before surgery,
2. if the patient is suffering from ischemic heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, or has suffered from peripheral circulatory failure,
3. if the patient has psychosis (except acute alcoholic psychosis), mental disorders and suicide attempts in interviews.

Particular care should also be taken when using Esperal in patients with respiratory or heart diseases, diabetes, epilepsy, and in patients with renal and / or hepatic insufficiency. The occurrence of an esperal-alcohol reaction may aggravate these diseases.

Also read: What is alcoholic epilepsy?

Esperal – interactions with other drugs

Esperal should not be used with anticoagulants, antipyrine, phenytoin, diazepamen and chlordiazepoxide, as it intensifies their effects. Concomitant use of isoniazid and disulfiram may affect the activity of the central nervous system and cause dizziness, impaired coordination of movements, irritability, insomnia. Metronidazole and disulfiram, when used simultaneously, can cause confusion and states psychotic states. Concomitant use of these drugs is not recommended.

Esperal – pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not recommended to use the insert in women who are or suspect that they may be pregnant. This is especially true of the first three months of pregnancy. This also applies to women who are breastfeeding.

See: What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome?

Esperal – the price of implantation

Alcohol insert – side effects

Esperal can cause side effects. A psychosomatic reaction may appear (states of depression, paranoia, schizophrenia, mania). Additionally, there may be an allergic reaction, inflammation of the peripheral nerves, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, a metallic taste or garlic taste in the mouth transient impotence, the patient may tire easily.

Alcohol tag – reviews

Overall, opinions about Esperal vary. Some claim that thanks to him they were able to overcome their addiction, others that he did not help them and, despite the sewing, they were attracted to alcohol. Moreover, among specialists treating alcoholism, opinions about Esperal are often negative as the only method of fighting addiction. It is primarily psychotherapy and self-denial that should affect the success of treatment, while alcohol inserts should act as a supportive form.

Negative opinions about the Esperal label also concern the fact that it does not alleviate the effects of alcohol withdrawal. However, it should be noted that sewing up is not intended to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and is intended to scare you away from alcohol. As already mentioned, the treatment of alcoholism consists of many components that should complement each other. Unfortunately, the use of only one method, regardless of whether it is an alcoholic insertion or individual psychotherapy, usually does not bring the intended results – all methods must complement each other.

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.