HEALTH RISKS OF DEXTROMETHORPHAN ABUSEShort Term
confusion disorientation
double vision HALLUCINATION
NAUSEAand VOMITING seizures
sudden death tachycardia (rapid HEARTbeat)
Long Term
ARRHYTHMIA BRAINdamage
chronic hallucinations neuromotor dysfunction
See also ANALGESIC MEDICATIONS; HALLUCINOGENS;
HEPATOTOXINS; NARCOTICS; OPIATES; PRESCRIPTION DRUG
ABUSE.
disulfiram A medication that blocks the action
of the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase in the
second stage of ALCOHOL METABOLISM. This inhibi-
tion prevents the conversion of acetaldehyde, a
potent toxin, to relatively harmless acetic acid.
The consequence is rapid accumulation of
acetaldehyde in the BLOODcirculation, causing an
array of extremely unpleasant symptoms similar
to severe hangover. The intensity of symptoms
correlates directly to the DOSEof disulfiram and
the amount of alcohol consumed.
Disulfiram, better known by its trade name
Antabuse, may be among the treatments for ALCO-
HOLISM. Though disulfiram is very effective for
controlling alcohol consumption, it does not cure
alcoholism. Symptoms that occur with the combi-
nation of disulfiram and alcohol, called the disulfi-
ram–alcohol reaction, include
- throbbing HEADACHE
- intense thirst and profuse VOMITING
- excessive sweating
- PALPITATIONSand CHEST PAIN
- blurred vision
- HYPERVENTILATION and DYSPNEA (shortness of
breath)
Symptoms typically begin about 10 minutes
after consuming alcohol and last 60 to 90 minutes.
Though disulfiram can be very effective in helping
maintain SOBRIETYin people who stringently com-
ply with the conditions of treatment, it can cause
severe and potentially life threatening symptoms
when alcohol consumption is substantial. Such
severe symptoms require emergency medical
attention. Among them are tachycardia (rapid
HEART RATE), ARRHYTHMIA (irregular HEART rate),
seizures, and RESPIRATORY FAILURE.Because so many products and sub-
stances, including medications, can con-
tain ALCOHOL, health-care providers
recommend that anyone taking disulfi-
ram carry a wallet card that identifies
them as on disulfiram therapy and the
contact information for the prescribing
physician.Abstinence from alcohol prevents symptoms. It
is essential to avoid all products that contain alco-
hol. Common sources of alcohol include alcoholic
beverages (beer, wine, mixed drinks), salad dress-
ings, food sauces, cough and cold preparations,
any medicinal preparations labeled elixirs, mouth-
washes, and some COLD SOREtreatments. Topical
products that contain alcohol, such as aftershave
lotion, may also activate the disulfiram–alcohol
reaction. Ingesting alcohol in any quantity in the
12 hours before the first disulfiram dose or up to
14 days after the last disulfiram dose will produce
symptoms.
See also INTOXICATION; METHADONE; NALTREXONE.disulfiram 333