Expert: Jan Edward Williams - 12/4/2009

Question
My aunt just started taking Antabuse. We want to now what food and drinks she must avoid to get minimum side effects

Answer
Hello Anneliese,
Thanks for the question. I hope that your Aunt is receiving addictions counseling and attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, in addition to taking Antabuse (disulfiram). This drug is only helpful in the long run if used as part of a comprehensive treatment of the alcoholism. In response to your question, your Aunt should read the ingredients labeling for all food and drink products before consuming them. In restaurants, she can ask if any of the foods or sauces were prepared with, or contain, alcohol (the alcohol is NOT all burned off). Here is the information in the FDA approved precautions labeling for Antabuse:

<<Before taking disulfiram, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to thiuram or thiuram-related chemicals (found in pesticides and rubber); or if you have any other allergies.

<<This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe heart/blood vessel disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), certain mental/mood condition (psychosis).

<<Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), brain disorders (e.g., seizures, brain damage), kidney disease, liver disease, personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs.

<<Avoid all alcoholic beverages or alcohol-containing products/foods (e.g., cough and cold syrups, mouthwash, aftershave, sauces, vinegars) while taking this medication and for 2 weeks after stopping the medication. Check all product labels carefully to make sure that there is no alcohol in the product. Using alcohol, even a small amount, while taking this medication can lead to a reaction that may include flushing, throbbing headache, breathing problems (e.g., shortness of breath, fast breathing), nausea, vomiting, dizziness, extreme tiredness, fainting, fast/irregular heartbeat, or blurred vision. These symptoms can last from 30 minutes to several hours. Tell your doctor immediately if these symptoms occur, especially if they persist or worsen.

<<A more serious reaction with this medication and alcohol may include trouble breathing, seizures, loss of consciousness, chest/jaw/left arm pain. Seek immediate medical attention if you have these symptoms.>>

I hope your Aunt has a sound and long term recovery.
Jan Edward Williams, MS, JD, LCADC
http://www.alcoholdrugsos.com