Disulfiram

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to help stop you from drinking.

How does it work?

• Disulfiram changes the way the body handles alcohol. If you drink alcohol, this medicine will cause side effects such as, flushing, headaches, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and belly pain.

How is it best taken?

• Tablet may be crushed and mixed with nonalcoholic beverages.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid all alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, liquor, liquid medications, vinegar, and food with alcohol in it). Can cause a reaction that includes rapid heartbeats, sweating, chest pain, flushing, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure.
• Limit caffeine (teas, coffee, colas) and chocolate intake.
• Do not take for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol. Side effects from drinking alcohol may occur for 2 weeks after disulfiram is stopped.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Drowsiness. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
• Garlic or metallic taste.

What should I monitor?

• Make sure food and medicines do not have alcohol contained in them.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• If alcohol is taken.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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