What is Disulfiram reaction?

(also called Acetaldehyde syndrome)

If you drink alcohol with disulfiram, you can have an bad reaction. Many other medications can cause same reaction

What is the reaction?

You might feel flushed (redness of skin). Your heart might beat too fast. You might feel headache, dizziness, or vomiting

Why this happens?

Your body gets rid of alcohol by converting it to acetaldehyde first. Then your body gets rid of acetaldehyde by converting it to acetate. Some medications stop conversion of acetaldehyde to acetate. That means too much acetaldehyde in your system. Acetaldehyde causes bad symptoms.

What medications can cause this reaction?

Abacavir

Cefamandole

Cefoperazone

Cefotetan

Cefuroxime

Chloramphenicol

Chlorpropamide

Furazolidone

Glyburide

Griseofulvin

Isoniazid

Isosorbide dinitrate

Metronidazole

Moxalactam

Nilutamide

Nitrofuratoin

Nitroglycerin

Ornidazole

Procarbazine

Sulfamethoxazole

Sulfisoxazole

Tinidazole

Tolazamide

Tolbutamide

Pimecrolimus cream and ointment (you might feel itching or burning sensation of skin if you use this cream and ointment and drink alcohol)

Tacrolimus cream and ointment (you might feel itching or burning sensation of skin if you use this cream and ointment and drink alcohol)

What precautions should I take?

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking medications (see the list of medications above)

Products such as cough syrups also might have alcohol. Try to avoid any product with alcohol

How long to wait after finishing medication?

Wait 4 to 7 days after finishing medication. Do not drink alcohol for 4 to 7 days after finishing medication

Page last updated: 25-August-2019