Antabuse (Disulfiram)
Antabuse (Disulfiram) is a sensitizing or deterrent agent used at Enterhealth for the treatment of alcohol addiction. This alcohol anti-addiction medicine helps manage chronic alcohol addiction in patients throughout the medical detox process. It also helps patients remain in a state of enforced sobriety.
Antabuse (Disulfiram) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of alcohol addiction in 1951. Taking this alcohol anti-addiction medicine during alcohol detoxification produces sensitivity to alcohol that results in a highly unpleasant reaction when the patient taking it drinks alcohol even small amounts. It does this by interfering in the alcohol enzymatic metabolism (breakdown) pathway resulting in an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood. This toxic by-product of normal alcohol metabolism produces highly unpleasant symptoms, including intense nausea and vomiting, sweating, flushed skin, throbbing headache, respiratory difficulties, blurred vision, and confusion.
Antabuse Disulfiram Dosage and Effects during use as an Anti-Addiction Medicine
Unlike Campral, Antabuse is an alcohol anti-addiction medication that acts only as a deterrent; it does not heal any of the damage caused by alcohol addiction. The dose of Antabuse is 250 mg/day, and liver function blood tests should be obtained by your primary care physician on a quarterly basis.
One of the complications of taking Antabuse as an alcohol anti-addiction medicine is that it can cause the typical toxic reaction with very small amounts of alcohol, even if alcohol is taken accidentally. Consequently, when you are on Antabuse, you have to be very careful to avoid certain alcohol containing products (perfume, mouth wash) very carefully. Also, certain sauces for food can contain small amounts of alcohol and cause a reaction. However, if you are carefully observant of your environment, these hazards can be easily avoided while taking anti-addiction medicine.
Enterhealth’s medically driven alcohol addiction treatment and drug rehabilitation treatment offers personalized residential and outpatient programs in Texas, uniquely suited to where you are in your recovery journey.
Call Enterhealth 24/7 at 800.388.4601 or email us at info@enterhealth.com for more information. Don’t just get clean/sober. Get well.
