What is disulfiram?
Disulfiram, often sold as Antabuse, is an alcohol-deterrent medication that inhibits the liver enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, which assists in the breakdown of acetaldehyde, the major alcohol metabolite (Fuller 1995). Consuming alcohol while disulfiram is in the body causes an accumulation of acetaldehyde, which produces an unpleasant physical reaction. Symptoms can include flushing, rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and headache. This reaction can be medically dangerous, especially in individuals with certain preexisting health conditions. Thus, the medication is available only by prescription, and disulfiram therapy can only be used in collaboration with a physician. Medical Oversight The disulfiram protocol must be administered under medical supervision. If a clinic physician is unavailable, disulfiram therapy must be handled by a referral to the patient’s family physician or, preferably, by a community physician who is informed about s
