{"id":5488,"date":"2020-12-18T15:35:29","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T15:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/?p=5488"},"modified":"2021-07-24T08:33:02","modified_gmt":"2021-07-24T08:33:02","slug":"antabus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/medicines\/antabus\/","title":{"rendered":"Antabus &#8211; Disulfiram uses, dose and side effects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>\n\n200 mg and 400 mg effervescent tablet&nbsp;<br>disulfiram<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. What Antabus is and what it is used for<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Antabus is a cessation drug for alcohol dependence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you drink alcohol while taking Antabus, a number of very unpleasant symptoms occur, such as severe&nbsp;redness&nbsp;on the face, throbbing headache, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These symptoms can occur even after small amounts of alcohol.&nbsp;Therefore, you should avoid&nbsp;<em>all forms of alcohol<\/em>, even e.g.&nbsp;liqueur pralines and certain liquid cough medicines and vitamin solutions, which contain alcohol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you drink large amounts of alcohol while taking Antabus, the consequences can be very serious.&nbsp;<\/em>You may become unconscious and need medical attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The symptoms, which can appear after only 5-10 minutes, are mainly caused by a breakdown product of alcohol (acetaldehyde) that accumulates in the body if you drink alcohol during treatment.&nbsp;The effect of the tablets gradually builds up over the first 3 days of treatment.&nbsp;The effect then remains for some time after you stop taking the tablets.&nbsp;An alcohol-Antabus reaction can occur up to 2 weeks after your last Antabus&nbsp;dose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Disulfiram contained&nbsp;in Antabus may also be approved for the treatment of other conditions not mentioned in this product information.&nbsp;Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professionals if you have any further questions, and always follow their instructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. What you need to know before using Antabus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do not use Antabus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>if you are allergic to&nbsp;disulfiram&nbsp;or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).<\/li><li>if you suffer from untreated heart disease, which can pose a serious risk of possible alcohol-Antabus reaction.<\/li><li>in case of severe mental disorder.<\/li><li>in severe brain damage.<\/li><li>in case of ongoing liver disease or if you have previously had liver effects during treatment with Antabus.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warnings and cautions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse before using Antabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take special care with Antabus if you have or have had liver disease.&nbsp;The liver function should then be checked during treatment with Antabus.&nbsp;If you get symptoms such as loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fever,&nbsp;itching, yellow whites of the eyes, yellow skin, dark urine, or light stools, consult your doctor.&nbsp;The symptoms may be due to liver inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because Antabus, along with alcohol, causes unpleasant and sometimes very serious symptoms, Antabus should never be given to anyone without their knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other medicines and Antabus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken, or might take any other medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drugs containing metronidazole&nbsp;<strong>(<\/strong>&nbsp;for&nbsp;infections&nbsp;),&nbsp;warfarin&nbsp;(inhibits blood clotting ability),&nbsp;phenytoin&nbsp;(for&nbsp;epilepsy&nbsp;),&nbsp;diazepam&nbsp;(for anxiety, anxiety,&nbsp;epilepsy&nbsp;), imipramine (for depression) and theophylline (for&nbsp;asthma,&nbsp;bronchitis&nbsp;) affect or be affected by treatment with Antabus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antabus with food, drink, and alcohol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All forms of alcohol should be avoided, even the small amounts that may be present in certain foods and medicines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pregnancy and breastfeeding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Limited experience of use during pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is a risk that children who are breastfed may be affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving and using machines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Antabus can cause fatigue and drowsiness, which you should keep in mind when driving and using machines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You are responsible for assessing whether you are fit to drive a motor vehicle or perform work that requires sharpened attention.&nbsp;One of the factors that can affect your ability in these respects is the use of drugs due to their effects and\/or&nbsp;side effects.&nbsp;Descriptions of these effects and&nbsp;side effects&nbsp;can be found in other sections.&nbsp;Read all the information in this leaflet for guidance.&nbsp;If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antabus contains sodium<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This medicine contains less than 1 mmol (23 mg)&nbsp;sodium&nbsp;per tablet, ie it is essentially &#8216;sodium-free&#8217;.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. How to use Antabus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you.&nbsp;Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dose&nbsp;one is determined by the doctor, who adjusts it individually for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The usual starting dose is 200-400 mg 2-3 times a week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A standard maintenance dose is 600-800 mg twice a week or 100-200 mg daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dose&nbsp;one is taken in the morning, but if Antabus makes you tired,&nbsp;dose&nbsp;one can be taken in the evening.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The tablets should be slurried in 1\/2 glass of water immediately before ingestion or at most 1 hour before.&nbsp;Stir before ingestion.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Signs of overdose include nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, impaired coordination, restlessness, irritability, and hallucinations.&nbsp;Severe overdose can lead to unconsciousness, seizures, low body temperature, drop in blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Possible side effects<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It can often be difficult, especially at the beginning of treatment, to distinguish symptoms caused by Antabus from symptoms of non-alcohol consumption or damage from previous alcohol consumption.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>fatigue, drowsiness<\/li><li>stomach upset<\/li><li>diarrhea<\/li><li>bad breath<\/li><li>metallic taste<\/li><li>headache<\/li><li>mania<\/li><li>Depression.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>acne-like rash or allergic rash with&nbsp;itching&nbsp;and\/or&nbsp;redness<\/li><li>disturbed sexual function.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness in especially the arms and legs<\/li><li>impaired vision and pain in and around the eye<\/li><li>altered blood count<\/li><li>liver dysfunction, sometimes with jaundice&nbsp;<\/li><li>mental disorders in the form of personality change.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Reporting of side effects<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.&nbsp;This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.&nbsp;You can also report side effects directly to the Medical Products Agency,&nbsp;www.lakemedelsverket.se.&nbsp;By reporting side effects, you can help increase drug safety information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. How to store Antabus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXP.&nbsp;The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.&nbsp;Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required.&nbsp;These measures will help to protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Contents of the packaging and other information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Content declaration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The active substance is&nbsp;disulfiram&nbsp;200 mg and 400 mg respectively.<\/li><li>Other excipients are corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, tartaric acid,&nbsp;colloidal&nbsp;anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, talc, sodium bicarbonate, and polysorbate 20.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What the medicine looks like and the contents of the pack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>200 mg effervescent tablet: white with incision, diameter 11 mm, marked CD C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>400 mg effervescent tablet: white with a cross notch, diameter 15 mm, marked CJ.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Plastic jar (PEHD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>200 mg tablet: 100 pcs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>400 mg tablet: 50 pcs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Marketing Authorization Holder and Manufacturer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Marketing Authorisation Holder<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Actavis Group hf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reykjavikurvegur 76-78<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>IS-220 Hafnarfjordur<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Iceland<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Manufacturer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recipharm Uppsala AB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bj\u00f6rkgatan 30<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>751 82 Uppsala<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Antabus is a cessation drug for alcohol dependence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2201,2200],"tags":[10284,10287,10279,10282,10288,10283,10286,10281,10285,10280],"class_list":["post-5488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a","category-medicines","tag-antabus","tag-antabus-tablet","tag-disulfiram","tag-disulfiram-tablet","tag-side-effects-of-antabus","tag-side-effects-of-disulfiram","tag-what-antabus-is-used-for","tag-what-disulfiram-is-used-for","tag-what-is-antabus","tag-what-is-disulfiram"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5488","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5488"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5488\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12578,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5488\/revisions\/12578"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5488"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5488"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zeepedia.com\/medical\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5488"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}