Common side effects seen during the first 2 weeks of therapy often include:
- drowsiness
- headache
- fatigue
- acne
- changes in taste (metallic or garlic-like)
- impotence
- skin rash
These side effects tend to be mild and usually only last a short time.
Antabuse, if taken with even small amounts of alcohol, can cause unpleasant effects. These effects include:
- flushing of the face
- headache
- nausea
- vomiting
- chest pain
- weakness
- blurred vision
- mental confusion
- sweating
- choking
- breathing difficulty
- anxiety
These effects begin about 10 minutes after alcohol enters the body and last for at least an hour. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages (including wine, beer, and medications that contain alcohol such as cough syrup) while taking Antabuse, during the 12-hour period before you take your first dose, and for several weeks after stopping the drug.
This is not a complete list of Antabuse side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
WARNING
Disulfiram should never be administered to a patient when he is in a state of alcohol intoxication, or without his full knowledge.
The physician should instruct relatives accordingly.
Antabuse (generic: disulfiram) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic alcoholism. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors. It discourages drinking by interfering with alcohol metabolism which leads to unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed.
Antabuse comes in tablet form. It is taken once daily, with or without food.
Common side effects include headache, fatigue, and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.
Antabuse is a prescription medication used to treat chronic alcoholism.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.