Disulfirame

The disulfirame (espéral) or ((a) (diéthylthiocarbamyl) disulfide) (disulfide of tétraéthyl-thiocarbamoyle) has as a C₁₀H₂₀N₂S₄ formula. It is a white, odorless powder and of slightly bitter savor, melting towards 71 °C. The disulfirame is very soluble in alcohol and the Chloroforme.

It can be prescribed as Médicament (under the name of antabuse) in the case of dependence with the alcohol because it inhibits a Enzyme the aldehyde-déshydrogénase, enzyme charged to transform the acetic Acétaldéhyde into Acid. As it contains Soufre, it gives bad breath. Studies in progress relate to the use of the disulfirame and its action on the Dopamine to fight against the dependence with the Cocaïne. An excess of dopamine increases the anguish, generates the blood pressure and of faintnesses.

Interaction with alcohol

In the event of normal metabolism, the Ethanol is destroyed by the Foie by the action of an enzyme which transforms it into acetaldehyde, even converted to him into nondangereous acetic acid because of aldehyde-déshydrogénase. This process is blocked by the disulfirame. When alcohol is absorbed after having taken disulfirame, the acetaldehyde concentration in blood can be 5 to 10 times higher than at the time of the catch of the same quantity of alcohol alone. As the acetaldehyde is one of the independent factors of the Hangover , it generates a dissuasive reaction against the alcohol catch. The disulfirame acts 5 to 10 mn after the ingestion of alcohol and the patient feels the effects of the hangover during a going amount of time of 30 mn at several hours.

The other symptoms observed are the reddening of the skin, the acceleration of the Cardiac rhythm, a difficulty of breathing accompanied by Nausée S and Vomissement S.

One should not take disulfirame in the event of alcohol consumption in the twelve last hours. The more important the amount of disulfirame is, the more its effect is of long life. As its absorbtion in the body is slow, its elimination take time and its effect can be made feel two weeks after the ingestion of the drug. This is why it is necessary to inform in detail the patient of the effects of the reaction of the disulfirame on alcohol.

The disulfirame available in is compressed of 200,250 and 500 Mg. The usual starting amount of 500 Mg, is followed of an amount of 250 Mg per day, which should not exceed 500 Mg.

History

The action of the drug was discovered by chance in 1948 by the researchers Erik Jacobsen and Jens Hald in the pharmaceutical laboratory Medicinalco with the Denmark. At the beginning, the drug was intended to fight against of the parasitic infections, but the researchers, who tested themselves produces it, felt serious disorders after an alcohol ingestion.

One currently obtains it by condensation of the diéthylamine and the Disulfure of carbon in the presence of soda. After this phase, one carries out an oxidation of the sodium diéthyl-dithiocarbamate obtained by the ammonium persulphate.

Limits

The disulfirame should not be regarded as a cure of alcoholism because it is easier for a patient to remove the disulfirame than alcohol. It can give up the treatment if it is not supervised. Even if the therapy of accompaniment is reinforced, the dissuasive effects generated by the disulfirame are likely to prove to be insufficient in the event of chronic alcoholism. The treatment is addressed more particularly to selected and motivated patients, volunteers to do without alcohol at the time of scéances of psychotherapy of group or individual.

The regulation of the disulfirame must be contra-indicated among patients coronary or treated by anti-hypertenseurs.

See too

Effect antabuse

External bonds

BIAM
Undesirable effects

manufacturer' S website
Disulfiram (patient information)
Toxicity, Mushroom - Disulfiramlike Toxins

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