About Antabuse: Antabuse has the active ingredient that is referred to as disulfiram. Disulfiram is an active ingredient that is classified as aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. Antabuse is used to help those who have a severe addiction to alcohol and would wish to quit. Antabuse is used in combination with counseling or therapy. Antabuse works by producing very undesirable side effects that may lead to death. The thought of these side effects is believed to deter those who wish to drink. Antabuse is also undergoing studies to determine its viability as a treatment for those with cocaine addiction. One of the effects of Antabuse is that it also prevents the body from breaking down dopamine.
How Antabuse Works: The body processes alcohol by initially breaking it down into what is referred to as acetaldehyde. This is then broken down by another enzyme which is produced by the liver known as aldehyde dehydrogenase. The consumption of alcohol while taking Antabuse leads to the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood. This is because Antabuse inhibits the action of the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase. High levels of acetaldehyde affect the heart and the blood vessels. This leads to flushing, an increase in the heartbeat as well as a decrease in the blood pressure. This will lead to some dizziness. The disulfiram reaction is the name given to the side effects that occur from the consumption of alcohol while using Antabuse. Among these side effects include nausea, you may start to experience some vomiting, you may start to develop shortness of breath, some headaches and/or palpitations. These undesirable side effects are believed to deter those who wish to drink from drinking. The effects from Antabuse may commence just a few minutes after consuming alcohol and they may last for as long as several hours.
Precautions Before Taking Antabuse: Before you start to use Antabuse inform your physician of any allergies that you may have. It is also recommended that you consult with your physician if you suffer from the following conditions. Among these conditions is any liver or kidney disease, if you have diabetes, if you have a problem with the thyroid, any mental problems or if you have ever suffered from damage to the head, if you have epilepsy or any other condition that causes seizures. The effect of Antabuse on an unborn child is unknown and you should therefore seek your doctor’s guidance when you get pregnant. Antabuse has been known to pass through breast milk and it may affect a nursing baby.
Side Effects Of Antabuse: Some of the effects that may result from the use of Antabuse include the development of rashes, hives that may be accompanied by itching, unexplainable swelling and you may also start to have difficulty breathing which show that you are allergic to some of the ingredients in Antabuse. The use of Antabuse has been shown to cause liver problems in some patients. This may be presented by the yellowing of the skin and the eyes, change in the color of urine, nausea that may be accompanied by vomiting that is persistent and stomach aches. Other serious side effects of Antabuse include severe diarrhea, you may start to experience seizure and/or a feeling of being too tired. You are advised to seek the immediate help of your physician. Less serous and common side effects of taking Antabuse include skin rashes, mild headaches, changes in your sexual drive, some drowsiness and a taste that is like metallic or garlic in your mouth. You should seek medical attention if any of these side effects persist.
