Antabuse has been used historically to curb substance abuse. If you wish to cure your drinking habits or if you want to get rid of your drugs addiction, Antabuse is here to help you. Generic Antabuse or disulfiram interferes with the normal alcohol metabolism in your body. When a person drinks after consuming Antabuse, he notices several unpleasant after effects. These after-effects are go adverse, that they automatically curb chronic alcoholism by acting as a deterrent.

Antabuse may indeed be used to cure oneself of other addictions. To know about all of the alternative uses of Antabuse, you can either consult your doctor or ask your pharmacist at the time of your Antabuse purchase. It is important to have all possible information regarding such a course, before you go and buy Antabuse from a local pharmacy or online drugstore.

Antabuse is a reaction inducing medication and hence the improper use of it should be avoided. You should take Antabuse in the exact doses and in the schedule prescribed by your doctor. If you have not understood some of your doctor's directions clearly, it is your prerogative to ask him again or consult your pharmacist. Each Antabuse dose should be taken with a glassful of water.

Just like most other medications, Antabuse has its own set of major and minor side effects. If any of the following serious side effects are noticed in Antabuse users, the patient should be rushed to the nearest emergency medical facility for urgent medical intervention.

• Severe and sometimes fatal liver problems that can be identified through symptoms such as dark urine, severe diarrhea, vomiting, jaundice, etc.


• Allergic reactions that can be identified through symptoms such as hives; swelling of face, tongue and lips; shallow and labored breathing, etc.


• Seizures


• Tiredness


• Appetite changes


• Weakness


• Dizziness and loss of coordination

Some minor side effects that can be associated with Antabuse use are the ones listed below. These side effects usually go away on their own, and are not known to be serious unless prolonged.

• Acne spurts


• Skin rashes


• Drowsiness


• Temporary impotence


• Metallic after-taste in the mouth


• Sore or swollen tongue

Certain drugs should not be used concurrently with Antabuse, as they may result in interactions and cause unnecessary complications. Below is a list of such drugs:

• MAO Inhibitors such as Marplan


• Isoniazid


• Benzodiazepines such as Valium


• Tricyclic anti-depressants such as Restoril


• Warfarin


• Flagyl


• Theo-Dur


• Lithium

As this list is not exhaustive, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for more on such interactive drugs. Before staring on Antabuse, it is essential to tell your doctor of all prescription and over the counter medications, herbal products and nutritional supplements that you may be taking.

Antabuse is a fairly potent medication and hence it is essential to report an overdose to the local poison control center on an urgent basis. This will help the patient get the timely medical attention that he requires.

The following notes should be kept in mind before and during an Antabuse course.

• Antabuse reacts badly with alcohol. Excessive alcohol should not be consumed before and at least 12 hours after a dose, while on an Antabuse course.


• Reactions may last for weeks if alcohol is taken after an Antabuse dose.


• Medications and tonics that contain alcohol, such as cold and flu medications, sauces, mouth washes and vinegars, should also be avoided while on an Antabuse course.


• As the effect of Antabuse on pregnancies and on the probabilities of conception is not yet known, use it only after understanding the risks, if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.


• As disulfiram passes into breast milk, it is not advised that you take it while you are nursing your baby.

Antabuse missed doses can be taken as and when you remember them. The rest of the daily doses should be taken as scheduled as long as they are properly and evenly spaced out.

As mentioned earlier, Antabuse is specifically aimed at curing alcoholism, though it may also be recommended for other substance abuses. The way that Antabuse works is as given below.

• Antabuse reduces the cravings for a drink and it also reduces the risk of relapse by making alcohol unappetizing to the drinker.


• If someone consumes a drink after taking Antabuse, he experiences severe reactions such as facial flushes, severe headaches, lowered blood pressure, accelerated heartbeats, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.


• While normal reactions have the same intensity as those experienced if you have food poisoning, some people who are naturally more sensitive to such medications, may experience harsher after effects.


• The reactions associated with the concurrent intake of Antabuse and alcohol, are so strong that they act as an effective deterrent for drinkers and help them to avoid their drinks by negating their cravings.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Antabuse should be stored at room temperature and should be kept away from pets and kids.

You should buy Antabuse only after consulting your doctor. You can purchase Antabuse from local pharmacies or buy Antabuse online from the web based ones. If you order disulfiram from online stores, you may get good deals and discounts.