Disulfiram

(dye SUL fi ram)

U.S. Brand Names

Antabuse®

Mexican Brand Names

Antabuse

Pharmacologic Category

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibitor

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Do not take this medicine for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol or any alcohol-containing medicines.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to disulfiram or any other part of this medicine.

• 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, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Heart disease or schizophrenia.

• If you are an alcohol drinker or take any alcohol-containing medicines.

• If you are taking metronidazole.

What is this medicine used for?

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

How does it work?

• Disulfiram causes side effects if alcohol is drunk.

How is it best taken?

• Do not take this medicine for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol.

• Tablet can be crushed and mixed with food or liquid.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

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 activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, liquor, medicines, and food with alcohol in it). Avoid alcohol for 2 weeks after disulfiram is stopped.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Headache.

• Abnormal taste. This is usually reversible.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work (liver function). Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe belly pain.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Not hungry.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from light.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• 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, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.



Created: 2006-10-13 12:03:59.0

Modified: 2008-02-11 14:10:42.0

Lexi-PALSTM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.