Antabuse
Antabuse (disulfiram) is a highly efficient medication available by prescription that if often recommended for patients trying to quit drinking but not having enough willpower to do so without additional help. This medicine works by interfering with the way your body usually metabolizes alcohol. Antabuse is known to cause a number of very unpleasant symptoms when alcohol is used after taking a dose of your medicine. The following reactions are possible, even if you drink alcohol within 2 weeks after stopping the treatment: low blood pressure, dizziness, fast heartbeats, chest pain, flushing, nausea, and thirst. Make sure you are not intoxicated when taking the first dose of Antabuse and avoid using any products that contain even the smallest amounts of alcohol from then on – as a reaction is going to be possible anyway. Before you are prescribed a certain dose, make sure your health care provider knows about any health conditions you have, such as brain damage, thyroid disease, seizure disorder, mental disorders, liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes, as they may affect the dose and require additional tests to establish the safety of Antabuse in your particular case. Also tell your health care provider if you are taking such medicines as theophylline, isocarboxazid, tricyclic antidepressants, warfarin, metronidazole, benzodiazepines, phenytoin, isoniazid, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, or lithium, or if you intend to take them in the nearest future. Some of these drugs may absolutely not be used along with Antabuse – so you will need to make sure you do not combine them together. Both mild and more serious side effects are possible, and it’s important to understand the difference between them to make sure you know which ones to report and which ones will disappear on their own. The following are mild side effects that do not need to be reported: acne, impotence, headache, tiredness, sore tongue, skin rash, and mild drowsiness. More serious side effects that you will have to inform your doctor of can include any of the following ones: seizures, dark urine, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe diarrhea, and loss of coordination. Store Antabuse in a dark cool place where no one will have access to it. Never store it in the bathroom or any other place with a similar level of humidity.

All Rights Reserved 2007-2009.