Formulary
Disulfiram: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Disulfiram clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Disulfiram: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Disulfiram clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Adjunct in the treatment of alcohol dependence (under expert supervision)**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 200 mg daily, increased if necessary up to 500 mg daily.
Cautions
Alcohol challenge not recommended on routine basis (if considered essential-specialist units only with resuscitation facilities); avoid in Acute porphyrias ; diabetes mellitus; epilepsy; respiratory disease
Contraindications
Cardiac failure; coronary artery disease; history of cerebrovascular accident; hypertension; psychosis; severe personality disorder; suicide risk
Side effects
Frequency not known Allergic dermatitis; breath odour; depression; drowsiness; encephalopathy; fatigue; hepatocellular injury; libido decreased; mania; nausea; nerve disorders; paranoia; psychotic disorder; vomiting
Interactions
**Other interactions (12):**
- Disulfiram blocks the metabolism of alcohol and leads to an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood stream.
- For full details of the disulfiram-alcohol reaction please refer to section 4.8.
- The intensity of the Disulfiram-alcohol reaction may be increased by amitriptyline.
- Chlorpromazine while decreasing certain components of the Disulfiram-alcohol reaction may increase the overall intensity of the reaction.
- Disulfiram inhibits the metabolism of certain benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide and diazepam enhancing their sedative effect.
- The interaction is not indicated for oxazepam.
Pregnancy
High concentrations of acetaldehyde which occur in presence of alcohol may be teratogenic; avoid in first trimester.
Breast feeding
Avoid-no information available.
Hepatic impairment
Manufacturer advises caution.
Renal impairment
Use with caution. M
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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