Antabus: Uses And Effects

Antabus is a medicine that contains the active ingredient disulfiram. It is used to treat chronic alcoholism. While it is not a cure for alcoholism, it is a useful tool that can be used in addition to therapy.

Antabus uses and effects

Thus, as already mentioned above, disulfiram is used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism. It should not be taken for at least 12 hours after drinking alcohol, as it causes unpleasant effects, even when only small amounts of alcohol are consumed.

Some of the effects are:

• Redness and headache.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Chest pain.
• Vapors.

• Blurred vision.
• Complexity.
• Choking and shortness of breath.
• Anxiety.

After taking an antabus, the effects begin ten minutes after consuming alcohol and can last up to an hour or longer.

How to take it

Antabus comes in the form of oral tablets. They should be taken once a day, as directed by your doctor. The dose should not be exceeded or undershot and the medicine should not be used for longer than prescribed.

If the tablets cannot be swallowed, they may be crushed and mixed with juice, water, coffee or tea.

What if I forget to take my medicine?

If you forget to take a dose, try to take it as soon as you remember. However, if you remember when it is time for your next dose, continue your regular dosing schedule. It is important to avoid taking a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Special warnings

Before starting a medicine, it is important to make sure that the patient is not allergic to its active ingredient.

The patient should also tell their doctor about other medicines they are taking, as they may contain alcohol. Your doctor should also be aware of any diabetes or thyroid, liver or kidney disease.

For women, the doctor needs to know if the patient is pregnant, is planning to become pregnant, or is breast-feeding. If you become pregnant during treatment, contact your doctor immediately.

If you are going to have any surgery, including dental surgery, your dentist should be told about your disulfiram treatment.

Do I need a special diet during an Antabus course?

During treatment with Antabus, do not drink any alcohol or use medicines containing alcohol for 12 hours before the first dose and for several weeks after stopping the medicine.

In addition, care must be taken with sauces, vinegar, and any other foods that may contain alcohol.

Antabus side effects

Possible side effects of antabus include acne, headache, drowsiness, fatigue, and impotence. Some patients may also experience a taste of metal or garlic in the mouth.

You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Extreme fatigue and weakness.
• Anorexia.
• Yellowing of the skin and eyeballs.
• Dark urine.

Other recommendations during treatment

It is a good idea to always carry some kind of ID card with you to show that you are taking this medicine. It is also a good idea to keep the contact details of your doctor, hospital or health center, which you can contact in an emergency.

Avoid contact with and inhalation of all products containing alcohol; these include, for example, paint vapors, dyes, varnishes and polishes. Also be careful with other products that contain alcohol, such as aftershaves and perfumes. They can cause headache, nausea, itching and redness with disulfiram.

Before using an alcohol-containing product on the skin, try it on a small area first and let it stand for one to two hours. If there is no redness, itching or other side effects after this, you can use the product.

Finally

While Antabus does not cure alcoholism, it does reduce the urge to drink. It is used in conjunction with behavioral therapy, psychotherapy and counseling to stop drinking.