User:Mr. Ibrahem/Disulfiram

Disulfiram, sold under the trade name Antabuse among others, is a medications used treat alcoholism by producing an acute sensitivity to alcohol. It should be used in conjunction with counseling and support. It is less preferred than acamprosate and naltrexone. People should be informed regarding how it works before it is given. It is taken once a day by mouth.

Common side effects include liver problems, rash, sleepiness, sexual dysfunction, headache, and taste changes. Other side effects include nerve problems and confusion. If people drink alcohol well taking the medication skin flushing, headache, shortness of breath, and vomiting may occur. In severe cases heart failure, seizures, or death may occur. Use is not recommended in early pregnancy or when breastfeeding. It works by altering the breakdown of alcohol in the body.

Disulfiram was approved for medical use in the United States in 1951. It is available as a generic medication. In the United Kingdom 50 doses of 200 mg cost the NHS about 110 pounds as of 2020. In the United States 60 doses of 250 mg costs as little as 42 USD as of 2020. While implantable forms of disulfiram were studied to try to improve compliance these were found to be poorly effective.