Disulfiram and How It Works

Disulfiram is the first and still most recommended drug approved worldwide for alcoholism treatment. Opposite to new medicines for addiction to alcohol that either minimize the effects of spirits’ consumption (Revia and Vivitrol) or partially or entirely terminates an urge to consume alcohol beverage (naltrexone), Disulfiram makes individuals feel enormously ill and uncomfortable if they consume any form of alcohol.

The well-known in medicine and pharmacy disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER) manifests by the following symptoms:

• a severe headache,
• seizures,
• sweeping reddening and hot flushing,
• sickness,
• dyspnea,
• tremors,
• shakes,
• nausea and vomiting,
• tachycardia with arrhythmia and extrasystoles,
• hypotension, dizziness and tendency to pass out.

During clinical studies in most severe cases, DER caused even acute circulatory failure. However, the mortality rate reported way below 0.05%.

Unfortunately, Antabuse aka Disulfiram may lead to tiredness, anorexia, depression, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuritis, neuropathies, shakings, and phobias even without reaction with alcohol.

Disulfiram Taken Orally

The medicine Disulfiram (Antabuse) recommended for PO administration or intramuscular implantation in the form of sterile pellets. Either method has its unique benefits. A daily prescription of 200 mg commonly delivers a strong reaction if the patient consumes any amount of spirits. The effect of one dose of the Antabuse usually lasts for 2-3 days.

The main reason for taking Disulfiram by mouth is the simplicity and affordability. Most health insurance careers cover full or partial price of this drug. The biggest problem with PO medicines, in this case, is that the patients must comply with the prescription and take it on a daily basis. Since alcohol addiction usually impacts patient’s emotional and mental functions some individuals may intentionally skip daily medication and substitute it with alcohol.

Antabuse Implant

Another technique of Disulfiram supply into the blood stream is the implantation (either subcutaneous or intramuscular) of the sterilized capsules of Antabuse. This form of addiction treatment frequently termed as coding. The technique presented in the 60-s of the previous century in the former Soviet and successfully used in the former Soviet Republics in nowadays. The implanted capsule drops the solution of Disulfiram into the blood stream of the patient and while it gradually dissolves, implant retaining a suitable level of the chemical for the period of 6-8 months. Clinical researchers confirmed that 93 – 95% of individuals that undertook Disulfiram implantation have revealed a complete withdraw from alcohol for the term of implantation.

Disulfiram Implantation Procedure

Under local anesthesia, a physician embeds a capsule with the solution of disulfiram into the gluteus, rectus abdominis (stomach), or brachial muscles near the largest local blood capillary spot. After the procedure, a patient must take Antabuse by mouth for one week until the capsule begins dripping Disulfiram into the bloodstream. Also, a physician prescribes wide-range antibiotics to avoid infection and hydroxyzine to reduce allergic reaction.

What is coding from alcoholism?

This technique for addiction treatment developed by the Soviet physician-narcologist Alexander Dovzhenko, MD in 1984. During the procedure a physician makes patient believe that a “code” embedded in the brain that would result in severe discomfort, pain, blindness, suffocation and other side effects if the individual consumes alcohol. Also, a physician tells that the “code” will be operative for as long as 3-5 years. This medical approach was and still prevalent in the former Soviet Union. However, it has never got recognized in the countries of the European Union or the United States. The helpfulness of this method has never verified by scientific studies or research. Also, this medical intervention is not recognized either by the WHO nor by Russian department of health.

Still, in many regions on the planet, coding from alcohol addiction is widely held with the internet working as a key publicizing and advertising tool.

Under the term “coding” various other healing techniques are available including:

• Liquid drugs that can be consumed,
• Coding intramuscular of intravenous injections,
• Implants inserted under the skin or intramuscular.