Disulfiram

Overview

Disulfiram is a widely used antioxidant in rubber industry, causes extreme discomfort to patients who drink alcoholic beverages.Disulfiram is useful as a pharmacologic adjunct in the treatment of alcoholism. Disulfiram is given to persons who are seriously desiring to stop alcohol intake. It causes an intolerance to alcohol. It produces unpleasant reactions of flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sweating, pounding heart, blurred vision when person ingested even small amounts of alcohol.

Categories

Primary Characterstics

Indications

Back to top

Pharmacokinetics

Back to top

Contraindications

Disulfiram is contraindicated in conditions like Psychosis, Peripheral neuropathy, Cardiovascular disease.

Back to top

Drug Interactions

Disulfiram is known to interact with other drugs, the details of drug interactions is as follows:

Severity N/A

Amitriptyline (HCl)

Interaction of Amitriptyline (HCl) with Disulfiram

Carbamazepine

Interaction of Carbamazepine with Disulfiram

Rifampicin

Interaction of Rifampicin with Disulfiram

Phenazone

Interaction of Phenazone with Disulfiram

Pethidine (HCl)

Interaction of Pethidine (HCl) with Disulfiram

Morphine

Interaction of Morphine with Disulfiram

Chlorpromazine (HCl)

Interaction of Chlorpromazine (HCl) with Disulfiram

Methotrimeprazine (Maleate)

Interaction of Methotrimeprazine (Maleate) with Disulfiram

Metronidazole

Interaction of Metronidazole with Disulfiram

Prazepam

Interaction of Prazepam with Disulfiram

Promazine (HCl)

Interaction of Promazine (HCl) with Disulfiram

Sulpiride

Interaction of Sulpiride with Disulfiram

Alprazolam

Interaction of Alprazolam with Disulfiram

Aminophylline

Interaction of Aminophylline with Disulfiram

Amisulpride

Interaction of Amisulpride with Disulfiram

Sulbactam

Interaction of Sulbactam with Disulfiram

Oxtriphylline (Choline Theophyllinate)

Interaction of Oxtriphylline (Choline Theophyllinate) with Disulfiram

Fosphenytoin

Interaction of Fosphenytoin with Disulfiram

Ritonavir

Interaction of Ritonavir with Disulfiram

Chlorzoxazone

Interaction of Chlorzoxazone with Disulfiram

Nafcillin

Interaction of Nafcillin with Disulfiram

Details: Disulfiram may increase Nafcillin sodium levels.
Esomeprazole

Interaction of Esomeprazole with Disulfiram

Details: Coadministration results in toxicity
Paraldehyde

Interaction of Paraldehyde with Disulfiram

Details: Concurrent use is not recommended, but may be required in some cases.If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Sulfapyridine

Interaction of Sulfapyridine with Disulfiram

Details: Concurrent use with sulfonamides may result in an increased incidence of hepatotoxicity. Patients, especially those on prolonged administration or those with a history of liver disease.
Management: Should be carefully monitored.

Major

Alcohol

Interaction of Alcohol with Disulfiram

Details: Disulfiram inhibit enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase responsible for oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetylCoA thusduring cosumption of alcohol flushing,nausea,blurred vision,hypotension and tachycardia may occur.
Management: Alcohol should be avoided in patients receiving disulfiram.
Iproniazid Phosphate

Interaction of Iproniazid Phosphate with Disulfiram

Details: Infrequent reports of IPRONIAZID increasing the CNS TOXICITY of DISULFIRAM.
Management: May need to avoid combination.

Minor

Caffeine

Interaction of Caffeine with Disulfiram

Details: Due to inhibition of caffeine metabolism in liver microsomes its concentration may be increases in cardiovascular and CNS .
Management: Caffeine intake should be limited while taking disulfiram.

Moderate

Isoniazid

Interaction of Isoniazid with Disulfiram

Details: Coadministration causes blockade of dopamine metabolism and results in excess dopaminergic activity.
Management: Closely monitored the altered mental status.Dose of disulfiram must be adjusted.
Phenytoin (Na)

Interaction of Phenytoin (Na) with Disulfiram

Details: Disulfiram may inhibit hepatic microsomal metabolism of phenytoin and decreases its elimination rate thus increasing serum level upto 73% to 500%.
Management: closely observed yhe serum level and toxicity of phenytoin.
Metronidazole

Interaction of Metronidazole with Disulfiram

Details: Coadministration results in confusion and acute psychoses.
Management: Metronidazole should not be administered when using disulfiram.
Podophyllum

Interaction of Podophyllum with Disulfiram

Details: The risk of peripheral neuropathy may be increased during concurrent use of two or more agents that are associated with this adverse effect. In some cases, the neuropathy may progress or become irreversible despite discontinuation of the medications.
Management: Caution is advised during concomitant use of agents with neurotoxic effects. Patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of neuropathy such as burning, tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet. Since the development of peripheral neuropathy may be dose-related for many drugs, the recommended dosages should generally not be exceeded.
Warfarin (Na)

Interaction of Warfarin (Na) with Disulfiram

Details: Disulfiram may increase the serum concentration of Warfarin.
Onset: Delayed
Management: Monitor for increased therapeutic effects of Warfarin if Disulfiram is initiated/dose increased, or decreased effects if Disulfiram is discontinued/dose decreased.

These interactions are sometimes beneficial and sometimes may pose threats to life. Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Back to top

Side Effects

Back to top

Dosage

Disulfiram's dosage details are as follows:
Dose Single Dose Frequency Route Instructions

Adult Dosage

200 mg/kg200 (200)24 hourlyPODaily max dose 500mg.

Paedriatic Dosage (20kg)

No data regarding the Paedriatic dosage details of Disulfiram is available.

Neonatal Dosage (3kg)

No data regarding the neonatal dosage details of Disulfiram is available.

High Risk Groups

Back to top

Warning / Precautions

Back to top

Storage Conditions

Back to top

Interference in Pathology

Back to top

Brands / Trade Names of Disulfiram

Back to top

Manufacturers of Disulfiram in Pakistan

Back to top

Previous Drug Generic - Next Drug Generic


Suggested Pages