Antabuse (generic name: disulfiram) is generally prescribed for the treatment of alcoholism.
It works by blocking the metabolism of acetaldehyde, which is a product of alcohol when broken down by the body. The oral tablets often take no more than 15 minutes to work and they continue to work as long as alcohol is in one's system. Typically, patients aren't given Antabuse until 12 hours have passed since they had any alcohol.
When patients are pretreated with Antabuse, the "disulfiram reaction" often kicks in. This unpleasant reaction can manifest in several ways, including:
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Flushing
- Head and neck throbbing
- Headache
- Sweats
- Severe thirst
- Chest pain and/or palpitations
- Confusion
- Tachycardia
- Arrhythmias
- Convulsions
Some Common Antabuse Side Effects
Common side effects from this medication not related to the "disulfiram reaction" include:
- A feeling of drowsiness (this is common)
- Diminished sexual ability in men
- Mild headache
- Skin rash
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Garlic taste in mouth
- Unusual tiredness (beyond feeling drowsy
Healthcare professionals strongly recommend anyone taking Antabuse or disulfiram to report any of the following side effects they experience to their healthcare team immediately.
Uncommon Antabuse Side Effects
Some side effects of Antabuse that are considered uncommon include:
- Any change in vision
- Eye pain
- Eye tenderness
- Numbness in hands/feet
- Tingling or pain in hands/feet
- Weakness in hands/feet
Rare Antabuse Side Effects
Some reported side effects of Antabuse that are considered rare include:
- Severe stomach pain
- Jaundice (yellow eyes or yellowish skin color)
- Darkening of urine
- Light, gray-colored stools
In general, Antabuse can also induce hepatitis in some patients, and it can have other effects on certain organ systems, including the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, the eyes, the liver, and the central nervous system.