Disulfiram chemical structure
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Disulfiram

Disulfiram is a drug used to support the treatment of chronic alcoholism by producing an acute sensitivity to alcohol. Trade names for disulfiram in different countries are AntabuseĀ® and AntabusĀ®. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
C
D
Dacarbazine
Dactinomycin
Dalmane
Danazol
Dantrolene
Dapoxetine
Dapsone
Daptomycin
Daraprim
Darvocet
Darvon
Daunorubicin
Daunorubicin
Daypro
DDAVP
Deca-Durabolin
Deferoxamine
Delsym
Demeclocycline
Demeclocycline
Demerol
Demulen
Denatonium
Depakene
Depakote
Depo-Provera
Desferal
Desflurane
Desipramine
Desmopressin
Desogen
Desogestrel
Desonide
Desoxyn
Desyrel
Detrol
Dexacort
Dexamethasone
Dexamfetamine
Dexedrine
Dexpanthenol
Dextran
Dextromethorphan
Dextromoramide
Dextropropoxyphene
Dextrorphan
Diabeta
Diacerein
Diacetolol
Dial
Diamox
Diazepam
Diazoxide
Dibenzepin
Diclofenac
Diclohexal
Didanosine
Dieldrin
Diethylcarbamazine
Diethylstilbestrol
Diethyltoluamide
Differin
Diflucan
Diflunisal
Digitoxin
Digoxin
Dihydrocodeine
Dihydroergotamine
Dihydrotachysterol
Dilantin
Dilaudid
Diltahexal
Diltiazem
Dimenhydrinate
Dimercaprol
Dimetapp
Dimethyl sulfoxide
Dimethyltryptamine
Dimetridazole
Diminazene
Diovan
Dioxybenzone
Diphenhydramine
Diphenoxylate
Dipipanone
Dipivefrine
Diprivan
Diprolene
Diproteverine
Dipyridamole
Disulfiram
Disulfiram
Dizocilpine
Dobutamine
Docetaxel
Docusate sodium
Dofetilide
Dolasetron
Dolobid
Dolophine
Domperidone
Donepezil
Dopamine
Dopram
Doral
Doramectin
Doriden
Dornase alfa
Doryx
Dostinex
Doxapram
Doxazosin
Doxepin
Doxil
Doxil
Doxorubicin
Doxy
Doxycycline
Doxyhexal
Doxylamine
Drisdol
Drixoral
Dronabinol
Droperidol
Drospirenone
Duloxetine
Durabolin
Duragesic
Duraphyl
Duraquin
Dutasteride
Dv
Dyclonine
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Under normal metabolism, alcohol is broken down in the liver by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase to acetaldehyde, which is then converted by the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase to the harmless acetic acid. Disulfiram blocks this reaction at the intermediate stage by blocking the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. After alcohol intake under the influence of disulfiram the concentration of acetaldehyde in the blood may be 5 to 10 times higher than that found during metabolism of the same amount of alcohol alone. As acetaldehyde is one of the major causes of the symptoms of a "hangover" this produces immediate and severe negative reaction to alcohol intake. Some 5-10 minutes after alcohol intake, the patient may experience the effects of a severe hangover for a period of 30 minutes up to several hours.

Disulfiram should not be taken if alcohol has been consumed in the last 12 hours. There is no tolerance to disulfiram: the longer it is taken, the stronger its effects. As disulfiram is absorbed slowly through the digestive tract and eliminated slowly by the body the effects may last for up to 2 weeks after the initial intake. Clearly, patients must be fully informed about the disulfiram-alcohol reaction.

The drug's action was discovered by accident in the 1940s in the Danish drug company Medicinalco: workers testing the substance, which was intended to treat parasitic diseases, on themselves reported severe symptoms after alcohol consumption.

One weakness with Disulfiram and similar treatments is that if not taken under supervision an alcoholic will often not stick to the treatment, since it is easier to give up the drug than alcohol. Even when strictly taken the negative effects will rarely break the drinking patterns of a chronic alcoholic. In some extreme cases, patients with subcutaneous disulfiram tablet implants have been known to cut or dig out the tablet to avoid its effects. For these reasons disulfiram is not in itself a cure for alcoholism and is usually only indicated for select patients who wish to remain in an enforced state of sobriety during other forms of treatment, such as support groups and psychotherapy.

Similarly acting substances

Coprine, a closely related chemical having the same metabolic effects, occurs naturally in several edible mushroom species, such as the inky cap.

Temposil, or citrated calcium carbamide, has the same function as Antabuse but is weaker and safer.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Dermatitis recall during disulfiram therapy.(Case Report) : An article from: Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology $5.95 Alcoholism drug disulfiram, other agents target cocaine dependence.(Rx) : An article from: Internal Medicine News $5.95
Disulfiram therapy in patients with Hepatitis C: a 12-month, controlled, follow-up study *. : An article from: Journal of Studies on Alcohol $5.95

Disulfiram, behavior therapy in cocaine dependency
The use of disulfiram in the treatment of cocaine dependence was first introduced in patients who also were abusing alcohol. Disulfiram was thought to reduce a patient's exposure to alcohol, which
Disulfiram-Induced Fulminant Hepatic Failure in an Active Duty Soldier
Fulminant hepatic failure is a rare complication of disulfiram treatment for alcoholism. In the instances that it does occur, previous liver disease or ...
Disulfiram: a guide to clinical use in alcoholism treatment
One option for helping chronic alcoholics remain sober isdisulfiram therapy. Patients who take disulfiram develop a sensitivity to alcohol, resulting ...
Medications for treating alcohol dependence
Medications for treating alcohol dependence primarily have been adjunctive interventions, and only three medications--disulfiram, naltrexone, and acamprosate--are ...
Disulfiram therapy in alcoholism - Tips from Other Journals
Disulfiram Therapy in Alcoholism Disulfiram has been used for 40 years in the treatment of alcohol dependency dis-orders. The alcohol-aversive potential ...
Disulfiram administration should be noncoercive - even for research - alcoholism treatment
Disulfiram Administration Should Be Noncoercive -- Even for Research In our article, "Disulfiram: An Evaluation Research Model" (AH&RW 12:202--209, 1988), ...
How effective are pharmacologic agents for alcoholism? - Clinical inquiries: from the family practice inquiries network
EVIDENCE BASED ANSWER Naltrexone (ReVia) and nalmefene (Revex) are the most effective agents for treating alcoholism. Acamprosate is effective but not ...
Clinical quiz
Clinical Quiz questions are based on selected articles in this issue of American Family Physician. Answers appear in this issue. AFP has been reviewed ...

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay