Disulfiram, marketed as Antabuse, acts as a deterrent in the management of alcohol addiction by triggering adverse reactions when someone using the medication consumes alcohol. Disulfiram was the first medication to gain FDA approval for the management of alcohol addiction.
What Is Antabuse?
Antabuse is a branded formulation of disulfiram, a medication used to support the treatment of severe alcohol use disorder that’s approved by FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
Antabuse medication works by stunting the body’s ability to process alcohol. Normally, when someone consumes alcohol, it’s metabolized into acetaldehyde, and subsequently into acetic acid. Antabuse disrupts this process by preventing the conversion of acetaldehyde into acetic acid, leading to a build-up of acetaldehyde in the system, and provoking toxic effects which discourage alcohol consumption.
If someone taking Antabuse medicine consumes alcohol, they quickly experience uncomfortable side effects like headaches, flushing, nausea, and vomiting. These reactions should inhibit the person from continuing to drink alcohol.
Antabuse is most effective when it’s used as one component of a broad-based treatment plan that includes counseling, behavioral therapies, and other supportive measures. While Antabuse can help a person remain abstinent, it should not be considered a cure for alcoholism. The primary goal of Antabuse treatment is to help individuals remain abstinent from alcohol while addressing the issues underpinning their alcohol addictions through counseling or other therapeutic interventions.
Antabuse Side Effects
Side effects of Antabuse can be triggered by even small amounts of alcohol. They may include:
- Headaches
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Sweating
- Physical weakness
- Breathing difficulties
- Confusion
- Anxiety
- Rapid breathing
- Fast heart rate
- Low blood pressure
Up to 95% of disulfiram is slowly absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract before it’s distributed throughout the body. The unabsorbed amount is excreted from the body. Antabuse is characterized by its slow elimination half-life – it has the potential to remain in the system for up to two weeks. This means that consuming alcohol during this timeframe can still bring about unpleasant reactions.
Antabuse Dosage
Antabuse should be taken once daily in oral form. Tablets come in dosages of 250mg or 500mg. 500mg per day is the highest recommended dosage.
Avoid taking disulfiram for at least 12 hours after consuming alcohol. Inform your treatment provider about all medications you’re using, as some may contain traces of alcohol.
Antabuse Uses
Antabuse is used as part of a treatment program for chronic alcohol use disorder.
Indirectly, Antabuse may also help those with co-occurring mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). By preventing alcohol consumption, individuals have a more stable platform from which to address both the alcohol addiction and mental health condition simultaneously.
Antabuse Warnings
Avoid Antabuse if you have consumed alcohol in the previous 12 hours. While on disulfiram, and for two weeks after taking the medication, alcohol should be strictly avoided.
Don’t take the medication if you have ingested products like cough syrup, cooking wine, vinegar, or mouthwash.
Antabuse is unsuitable for those who:
- Have consumed alcohol, even in food or products
- Suffer from severe heart disease
- Have a diagnosis of psychosis
- Have recently used Flagyl (metronidazole) or paraldehyde
Speak with your physician if you have any of the following conditions:
- Liver or kidney issues
- Heart disease
- Hypotension
- Stroke history
- Underactive thyroid
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Seizures
- History of head injuries
- Mental health conditions
FAQs
How does Antabuse work?
Antabuse (disulfiram) works by interfering with the body’s ability to metabolize alcohol, triggering unpleasant reactions like flushing, palpitations, and nausea if alcohol is consumed. This reaction helps to deter people from drinking.
How long does Antabuse last?
The effects of Antabuse can last for up to two weeks. This is because disulfiram remains in the body for a considerable length of time, continuing to affect the way in which alcohol is processed and maintaining its effect against consumption.
Get Medication-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Addiction at Gratitude Lodge
Alcohol addiction can be aggravating and disruptive, but it’s also highly treatable. Reach out to Gratitude Lodge for effective and compassionate medication-assisted treatment of alcohol use disorder.
Medications can help reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and mitigate cravings during supervised detox at one of our luxury rehabs in Long Beach or Newport Beach, CA. After a week or so, you can transition to our inpatient program having addressed the issue of physical dependence.
All alcohol addictions are unique, so our treatment plans reflect this. Expect to access a personalized mix of the following therapies:
- MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
- Psychotherapies
- Motivational therapies
- Holistic treatments
- Family therapy
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Aftercare planning
Call Gratitude Lodge at 800-994-2184 for effective and compassionate medication-assisted treatment of alcohol addiction.
