Esperal 250 mg (Disulfiram 250 mg)
Buy Esperal 250 mg (Disulfiram), Disulfiram is used to discourage drinking in patients with chronic alcoholism. This medicine can help in staying away from drinking by causing unpleasant side effects, if alcohol is consumed while taking disulfiram. These effects include flushing of the face, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, weakness, blurred vision, mental confu
What is Disulfiram?
Disulfiram is a drug used to treat chronic or deep rooted alcoholism. It is marketed and sold under various trade names in the world, some of which are Antabuse and Dizone. Disulfiram works by interfering with alcohol metabolism in the body which leads to undesirable and unpleasant effects when alcohol is consumed.
Disulfiram may also be given for treatments other than those listed above.
Uses
Disulfiram is used to discourage drinking in patients with chronic alcoholism. This medicine can help in staying away from drinking by causing unpleasant side effects, if alcohol is consumed while taking disulfiram. These effects include flushing of the face, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, weakness, blurred vision, mental confusion, sweating, choking, breathing difficulty, and anxiety. These effects begin about 10 minutes after alcohol enters the body and last for 1 hour or more. Disulfiram is not a cure for alcoholism, but discourages drinking.
How it works
Disulfiram belongs to a family of medicines called aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors. When alcohol is consumed, it is converted into a chemical called aldehyde by natural breakdown process, this chemical is further broken down by the chemical (enzyme) aldehyde dehydrogenase thereby allowing alcohol to be excreted. Disulfiram stops this enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase causing an increase in the blood levels of aldehydes. As a result, the person on alcohol gets very unpleasant reactions (also known as aldehyde syndrome) such as flushing, burning sensation, throbbing headache, perspiration, uneasiness, tightness in chest, dizziness, vomiting, visual disturbances, mental confusion, postural fainting and circulatory collapse which last for nearly 1-4 hours (depending upon the quantity of alcohol intake). Sensitivity to alcohol is developed which lasts for a long period of time, as a result the person experiences unpleasant reactions upon consuming alcohol even days after stopping disulfiram.
Important Information about Disulfiram
Drinking alcohol while on a Disulfiram (Antabuse, Dizone) treatment may result in nausea, fast heartbeats, flushing, thirst, chest pain, vertigo, or low blood pressure. avoid taking Disulfiram for at least 12 hours after consuming alcohol. Even after you have stopped taking Disulfiram for several weeks, you may still see its effects if you drink alcohol. While taking Disulfiram, you should be careful and aware of some common medications and products which contain alcohol in small proportions like cough syrups, mouth wash, tonics, sauces, vinegars, and several other food products. Make sure to read the product labels carefully for the ingredients as alcohol content in these products may also cause reactions with Disulfiram.
How should I take Disulfiram?
You must take Disulfiram medication (Antabuse, Dizone) strictly as prescribed by your doctor and no change in the dosage must be made whatsoever without your doctor?s advice. Take it with a glass of water.
Always store Disulfiram medication in a cool and dry place, away from any kind of heat and moisture. Ensure that children or pets don?t have access to this medication.
What are the doses instructions?
Missdose
If you miss a dose of Esperal, take it as soon as you remember. Don?t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Taking multiple doses near to each other can lead to excess medication in your body which can be dangerous.
Overdose
Overdosing on Disulfiram medication can lead to nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of co-ordination, numbness, tingling, or seizures.
Side effects of Disulfiram
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Metallic taste
Interaction with other drugs
Let your doctor know if you take any kind of medications (prescription, OTC, herbal) before he or she prescribes you Esperal (Antabuse, Dizone). These medications can interact with Disulfiram: before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: a monoamine oxidase inhibitor like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or others; isoniazid; a clorazepate, or others; a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline, imipramine, doxepin, or others; warfarin; metronidazole; lithium; phenytoin; or theophylline. the drug mentioned thus are not all the possible drugs which can interact with Disulfiram. There may be others as well. Share the list of all types of medications and related products which you are using with your doctor and never start a new medication without his or her advice.
FAQs
Q: Is disulfiram safe/dangerous?
A: Yes, disulfiram is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration in a hospital or specialized clinic as advised by your special doctor.
Q: Is Esperal available in Canada?
A: Yes, disulfiram is available in Canada.
Q: Is Disulfiram 250 mg over-the-counter medicine?
A: No, disulfiram is not an over-the-counter medicine. Disulfiram treatment for alcohol withdrawal should be initiated only in a hospital or specialized clinic and by experienced doctors only. Patients should follow advice of the doctor regarding its use.
Q: Is disulfiram a sulfa drug?
A: No, disulfiram is not a sulfa drug.
Q: Is disulfiram a competitive inhibitor?
A: Disulfiram is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. It works by blocking the processing of alcohol in the body causing unpleasant feeling leading to alcohol withdrawal.
Q: Is disulfiram a controlled drug?
A: No, disulfiram is not a controlled drug.
Q: Is disulfiram addictive?
No, disulfiram is not addictive. It is used to treat alcohol addiction and chronic alcoholism.
Q: Is disulfiram expensive?
A: Disulfiram prices may vary depending on the brand. Refer to the packaging for the price.
Q: Does disulfiram work?
A: Yes, disulfiram works. Disulfiram is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. It works by blocking the processing of alcohol in the body causing unpleasant feeling leading to alcohol withdrawal.
Q: Does Disulfiram 250 mg work for everyone?
A: Disulfiram works for chronic alcoholics who are cooperative and willing to give up alcoholism. Patients should follow advice of the doctor regarding its use.
Q: Does disulfiram stops cravings?
A: Disulfiram blocks the processing of alcohol in the body causing unpleasant feeling due to these unpleasant episodes, alcoholics abstain from alcohol Therefore, patients may avoid consuming alcohol to avoid unpleasant reactions upon consuming alcohol even days after stopping disulfiram. It may not have any direct effects on cravings.
Q: Does Esperal work immediately?
A: Yes, disulfiram works on alcohol withdrawal as soon as you start the treatment.
Q: What does Esperal like reaction mean?
A: Disulfiram-alcohol reaction characterized by flushing, increased body temperature, sweating, urge to vomit (nausea), vomiting, itching of skin (pruritus), pale red, raised, itchy skin rash (urticaria), anxiety, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, breathlessness (dyspnea), rapid heartbeat (palpitations) and hyperventilation.
Q: How disulfiram treats alcoholism?
A: Disulfiram belongs to a family of medicines called aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors. When alcohol is consumed in the body, by natural breakdown process it is converted to a chemical called aldehyde, this chemical is further broken down by the chemical (enzyme) aldehyde dehydrogenase thereby allowing alcohol to be excreted. Disulfiram stops this enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase causing an increase in the blood levels of aldehydes. As a result, the person on alcohol gets very unpleasant reactions such as flushing, burning sensation, throbbing headache, perspiration, uneasiness, tightness in chest, dizziness, vomiting, visual disturbances, mental confusion, postural fainting and circulatory collapse which last for nearly 1-4 hours after alcohol ingestion. Sensitivity to alcohol is developed which lasts for a long period of time, as a result the person experiences unpleasant reactions upon consuming alcohol even days after stopping disulfiram
