Antabuse (Disulfiram) comes in the form of white to off-white, tasteless and odorless tablets and each and every tablet contains 250 mg and 500 mg disulfiram, USP. Antbuse is administered orally. It also contains anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, stearic acid and sodium starch glycolate. Human body continues to oxidize acetaldehyde into acetic acid, which is harmless. Antabuse interferes into this metabolic process stops the process with the production of acetaldehyde and prevents the oxidation of acetaldehyde into acetic acid. This process of metabolism helps in the craetion of acetaldehyde five or 10 times greater than normal during the consumption of alcohol. During Antabuse medications the following drugs should not be comsumed as this may cause seious interactions:

1) alcohol-containing products
2) cough syrups, cold syrups, aftershave
3) amprenavir oral solution and metronidazole.

Inform your doctor immediately if you are into the medication of the above listed products. Alcoholism is treated with counseling and support along with Antabuse medication.

Always follow your doctor’s instruction. This dosage will be different for different patients. Take it one dose daily for 1 or 2 week in 500 mg usually in the morning. Then it should be lower to 200mg as per your doctors concern.

Disulfiram should never be taken for at least 12 hours until the patient has abstained from alcohol.

Antabuse (Disulfiram) side effects are like, occasional skin eruptions which can be controlled by administration of concomitant an antihistaminic drug, drowsiness, fatigability, impotence, headache, allergy, acne form eruptions and garlic-like aftertaste may occur during the medication.

The antabuse side effects also includes hepatitis, including both fulminant and cholestatic hepatitis, and also hepatic failure resulting in transplantation or death.

During intoxication state anatbuse should not be consumed as this may cause reaction with the alcohol. Any form of alcohol in disguise should be avoided like, vinegar, cough syrups, sauces, aftershaves and back rubs. The reaction with alcohol may occur upto 2 weeks after it is taken.

Antabuse (Disulfiram) is used to help overcome drinking problem. It is an alcohol antagonist drug only available with doctor’s prescription.

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) and keep it away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Antabuse (Disulfiram) medication will never be administered to a patient in a state of alcohol intoxication. He must have the knowledge about that. Always try to contact with physician about your health as because the patient must have fully knowledge about the disulfiram-alcohol reaction. While taking the drug he must be fully aware of the possible side effects. The patient must be warned to avoid alcohol in disguised forms, i.e., in vinegars, sauces, cough mixtures, and back rubs and even in aftershave lotions.
Also know that reaction may be occurred with alcohol up to 14 days of disulfiram taken.