We need you! Join our contributor community and become a WikEM editor through our open and transparent promotion process.
Disulfiram effect
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Disulfiram (Trade names: Antabuse, Antabus) - causes an acute reaction in the presence of ethanol.
- Works by inhibiting acetaldehyde dehydrogenase → buildup of acetaldehyde → unpleasant effects.
- Designed to assist in alcohol cessation.
Disulfiram-like Reaction
- Certain other medications cause acute ethanol intolerance and similar effects as disulfiram[1]
- Mechanism is thought to be the same (i.e. buildup of acetaldehyde)
- Examples
- Antibiotics (metronidazole, certain cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, furazolidone)
- Antifungals (Griseofulvin)
- Quinacrine
Clinical Features
- Nausea/vomiting
- Headache
- Visual changes
- Flushing
Differential Diagnosis
Nausea and vomiting
Critical
Emergent
- Acute radiation syndrome
- Acute gastric dilation
- Acetaminophen toxicity
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Appendicitis
- Aspirin toxicity
- Bowel obstruction/ileus
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Cholecystitis
- CNS tumor
- Digoxin toxicity
- Electrolyte abnormalities
- Elevated ICP
- Gastric outlet obstruction
- Hyperemesis gravidarum
- Pancreatitis
- Peritonitis
- Ruptured viscus
- Testicular torsion/ovarian torsion
- Theophyline toxicity
Nonemergent
- Biliary colic
- Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
- Chemotherapy
- Disulfiram effect
- Erythromycin
- ETOH
- Gastritis
- Gastroenteritis
- Gastroparesis
- Hepatitis
- Ibuprofen
- Labyrinthitis
- Migraine
- Motion sickness
- Narcotic withdrawal
- Thyroid
- Pregnancy
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Renal colic
- UTI
Evaluation
- Clinical diagnosis
Management
- Supportive care
Disposition
- Discharge
See Also
References
- ↑ Karamanakos PN, Pappas P, Boumba VA, et al. Pharmaceutical agents known to produce disulfiram-like reaction: effects on hepatic ethanol metabolism and brain monoamines. Int J Toxicol. 2007 Sep-Oct;26(5):423-32.
