What is Antabuse?
Antabuse is a powerful drug designed for the treatment of alcoholism; it is applied in the presence of alcohol dependency, including withdrawal symptoms and delirium tremens. The appointment of dose and regimen of the drug are produced according to the instructions and depend on the severity of the disease. The drug comes in the form of gel, tablets, capsules for implantation of tablets for oral administration, intravenous solution.
Antabuse pharmacological action
When ingested, according to the instructions, a drug causes the breakdown of ethanol that in turn promotes a toxic reaction response to alcohol. As a result, a stable aversion reflex to alcohol-containing products is formed. A patient is disgusted not only with the use of alcoholic beverages, but even with other forms and smell.
Antabuse indications for use
According to the instructions, Antabuse is used to treat chronic nickel poisoning, chronic alcoholism, as well prescribed as a preventive measure. Use of Antabuse is characterized by efficiency as part of a comprehensive treatment program for alcohol dependence effects, helping people recover from the effects of this process. The medication stops the dangerous process of destruction of the human body.
This drug course may be started no earlier than the day after the post-dose of alcohol. When taking Antabuse the patient should not take alcohol-containing beverages within seven days. If the procedure is violated, and a combination of medication and alcohol takes place, a chemical reaction, dangerous to human life occurs. The consequences of this process can be very severe and sometimes even fatal. This reaction is called disulfiram-alcohol and is well known in medical practice.
At the initial stage of treatment the danger is not only posed by spirits, but also by a sufficient dose of low-alcohol beverages (beer, wine, etc.). The spirit-based solutions (medical and household products), such as tonics, perfumes and sprays are also dangerous for the patient, the contact with the materials must be reduced to minimum because of the possible disulfiram-alcohol reaction. Therefore, you should consult your doctor prior to the course start.
Antabuse dosage
Antabuse is administered intravenously, ingested, and also prescribed for subcutaneous administration. In a tablet formulation the medication is taken in a dose 0.25-0.5g throughout the day. Antabuse is administered intravenously at a dose of 0.25-0.5 g, in some cases, the drug subcutaneously sutured. For subcutaneous use gels, tablets and capsules can be used. The implants are sewed in areas of the body with the fat layers: blades, hips, abdomen or buttocks. Antabuse for sewing is prescribed as 1-2 capsules or tablets 5-8.
Antabuse contraindications
Taking the drug is prohibited in thyrotoxicosis, with decompensated forms of cardiovascular disease, neuritis of the auditory or visual nerve, diabetes, glaucoma, emphysema, bronchial asthma, severe liver disease, malignancies of the hematopoietic system, kidney disease, mental illness, epilepsy, convulsions, with aggravation of ulcers during pregnancy and lactation. Antabuse intravenously or otherwise reduces the amount of vitamin C preparation with a combination of isoniazid leading to a breach of the coordination behavior. Simultaneous reception Disulfiram with tinidazole, ornidazole, metronidazole seknidazol causes confusion, delirious disorder.