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Disulfiram (Disulfiram) - Summary

 
 



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.

 

DISULFIRAM SUMMARY

Disulfiram is an alcohol antagonist drug.

DISULFIRAM is indicated for the following:

Disulfiram is an aid in the management of selected chronic alcohol patients who to remain in a state of enforced sobriety so that supportive and psychotherapeutic treatment may be applied to best advantage. want

Disulfiram is not a cure for alcoholism. When used alone, without proper motivation and supportive therapy, it is unlikely that it will have any substantive effect on the drinking pattern of the chronic alcoholic.


See all Disulfiram indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Disulfiram

Effects of disulfiram on QTc interval in non-opioid-dependent and methadone-treated cocaine-dependent patients. [2013]
clinical trial of disulfiram were prospectively determined... CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that cocaine use and possibly MT status, but

Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of disulfiram for the treatment of cocaine dependence in methadone-stabilized patients. [2011.01.15]
This study examined the dose-related efficacy of disulfiram for treating cocaine dependence in methadone-stabilized cocaine dependent participants. DESIGN: One hundred and sixty-one cocaine- and opioid-dependent volunteers were entered into a 14-week, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial at two sites... CONCLUSIONS: Disulfiram may be contraindicated for cocaine dependence at doses <250 mg/day. Whether disulfiram at higher doses is efficacious in reducing cocaine use in dually cocaine and opioid dependent individuals needs to be determined. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial of disulfiram for the treatment of cocaine dependence in methadone-stabilized patients. [2011]
sites... CONCLUSIONS: Disulfiram may be contraindicated for cocaine dependence at doses

Effect of the threat of a disulfiram-ethanol reaction on cue reactivity in alcoholics. [2010.12.01]
RATIONALE: Little is known about the effect of disulfiram on subjective and autonomic nervous system cue reactivity in the laboratory. The dissuasive psychological effect manifested as a threat would seem to prevail over the pharmacological effect. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to determine whether there was a difference in cue reactivity responses during a threat condition compared to a neutral condition during alcohol cue exposure... CONCLUSIONS: The threat of a disulfiram-ethanol reaction appears to affect cue reactivity physiologically rather than subjectively. While the data does not show changes in subjective ratings, it is possible that there are alternative beneficial effects arising from other cognitive processes that are not captivated by self-reported craving scales, reflected by decreases in negative affect and blood pressure. From this perspective, disulfiram might be recast to be more acceptable to patients. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Disulfiram in severe alcoholism--an open controlled study. [2010.12]
BACKGROUND: Disulfiram is used to a great extent in Denmark to treat alcoholism but the evidence is limited. AIM: To study the effect of supervised disulfiram treatment in alcohol dependence. Subjects were recruited from a psychiatric emergency ward following alcohol withdrawal treatment... CONCLUSION: Supervised disulfiram administration did not have any major impact on the treatment outcome.

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Clinical Trials Related to Disulfiram

Disulfiram Interactions With HIV Medications: Clinical Implications [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to determine whether disulfiram might be a safe and effective treatment for cocaine and/or alcohol dependence in patients with HIV disease. This research is designed to characterize the presence or absence of significant drug interactions between disulfiram and HIV medications using standard clinical pharmacology techniques as well as monitor any side effects that might occur when these medications are administered together.

Disulfiram Plus Arsenic Trioxide In Patients With Metastatic Melanoma and at Least One Prior Systemic Therapy [Terminated]
This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of arsenic trioxide when given together with disulfiram in treating patients with metastatic and progressive melanoma. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as disulfiram and arsenic trioxide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells.

Pharmacogenetics of Disulfiram for Cocaine [Completed]
Previous research has shown that disulfiram, a medication sometimes used for treating alcoholism, discourages cocaine use among cocaine addicts who are undergoing methadone treatment. By blocking the enzyme dopamine beta hydroxylase (DBH), disulfiram increases levels of dopamine and produces an unpleasant sense of hyperstimulation and discomfort in cocaine users. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of disulfiram in preventing drug relapse among cocaine and opiate addicts with varying inherited levels of DBH.

Clinical Efficacy of Disulfiram in LAAM-Maintained Cocaine Abusers [Completed]
This 18-week, randomized, double blind clinical trial provided treatment for 160 cocaine-dependent opioid addicts, aged 18-65 years. Participants were stabilized on LAAM maintenance during the first 4 weeks and cocaine use was assessed; participants were then stratified by level of cocaine use and randomly assigned to receive one of the following: placebo disulfiram (0 mg/day), disulfiram at 62. 5 mg/day, disulfiram at 125 mg/day, or disulfiram at 250 mg/day. During induction onto LAAM, participants were administered increasing doses of LAAM plus placebo disulfiram on a thrice-weekly basis until maintenance doses of LAAM are attained. At the beginning of week 5, participants received LAAM plus disulfiram or placebo disulfiram according to their randomized assignments, and were maintained on these agents through week 16. At the end of the study, participants underwent detoxification from LAAM and active/placebo medication over a 4- to 6-week period. All participants received weekly 1-hour psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioral Treatment) with experienced clinicians specifically trained to deliver the therapy and who received ongoing supervision. The primary outcomes were retention and reduction in opioid and cocaine use, as assessed by self-report and confirmed by thrice-weekly urinalyses. Secondary outcomes included reductions in other illicit drug and alcohol use, as well as improvements in psychosocial functioning.

Short-term Disulfiram Administration to Accelerate the Decay of the HIV Reservoir in Antiretroviral-treated HIV Infected Individuals [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a two-week course of disulfiram will reduce the HIV-1 latent reservoir in patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

more trials >>

Reports of Suspected Disulfiram Side Effects

Completed Suicide (9)Respiratory Arrest (7)Cardiac Arrest (7)Toxicity TO Various Agents (4)Jaundice (3)Drug Interaction (3)Poisoning (3)Flushing (3)Alcohol Interaction (3)Infection (2)more >>


Page last updated: 2014-11-30

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