Antabuse

Antabuse product description

Drug uses

Antabuse is a drug for the treatment of alcohol dependence and relapse prevention of alcoholism in adults and elderly patients. Antabuse should be considered as an auxiliary alcoholism treatment in men and women, who want to remain in a state of enforced sobriety.

The anti-alcohol drug Antabuse helps overcome addiction to alcohol due to the formation of sustainable aversion to alcohol taste and smell. To reduce the stress conditions, caused by alcohol withdrawal syndrome, Antabuse should be used out in cooperation with supportive and psychotherapeutic treatment.

• The initial single dose of Antabuse ranges from 200mg to 500mg daily.
• The average maintenance Antabuse dose is 250 mg, and should not exceed 500 mg of the anti-alcohol drug per day.

Missed dose

If the patient has forgotten to take Antabuse tablets, he/she is recommended taking the missed dose as soon as remembers about it. If it is time to take another Antabuse dose, the missed dose should be skipped, without doubling the next dose. A double dose of anti-alcohol drug Antabuse leads to overdose and increased side effects.

More information

Antabuse should be taken as a single daily dose, preferably immediately after waking up. If Antabuse tablets cause pronounced sedation, they can be taken immediately before bedtime.

When interacting with alcohol, Antabuse produces very unpleasant side effects and can cause serious discomfort. Therefore, the first Antabuse dose should be taken not earlier, than 24 hours after the last alcohol dose consumed.

Storage

Effervescent tablets Antabuse should be protected from moisture and light, and stored at temperatures below 25°C (77°F), for not more than 5 years from date of manufacture.

Antabuse safety information

Warnings

The patients should be warned about the possible Antabuse interaction with any alcohol-containing products, including cough mixtures, sauces and even aftershave lotions. Antabuse tablets should be discontinued in alcohol intoxication.

Antabuse should be taken with extreme caution by patients with renal and hepatic insufficiency. Coadministration of the anti-alcohol drug Antabuse with Phenytoin and its related compounds may lead to phenytoin intoxication.

The combined use of Antabuse with Isoniazid may lead to impaired coordination and changes in mental status. Joint use of Antabuse with some benzodiazepines (Diazepam and Chlordiazepoxide) may increase the sedation effect of Antabuse.

Disclaimer

The presented information on Antabuse tablets should not be considered as a substitute for consulting a doctor, experienced in treatment of alcoholism and alcohol abuse. The online Pharmacy is not responsible for any claim, which may arise from the use of or inability to use the published information about Antabuse.

Antabuse side effects

As a rule, any undesirable side effects manifest at the initial stage of the alcohol dependence therapy and disappear spontaneously after 10-14 days from the start of Antabuse treatment. Side effects are dose-dependent and therefore may decrease or disappear after reducing the daily dose of Antabuse.

In the early days of Antabuse use, patients may feel fatigue and excessive sleepiness. Antabuse may cause extremity pain, mood changes, bad breath, metallic taste in the mouth, erectile dysfunction, dermatological reaction, weakness or tingling in feet or hands in some patients. Antabuse benefits for alcohol dependent patients outweigh the potential risk. Therefore, weak and mild side effects do not require an immediate Antabuse abolition.