Generic Antabuse

Common use

Antabuse is a medication used to treat chronic alcoholism. It contains active substance disulfiram bis(diethylthiocarbamoyl) which blocks alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), the enzyme involved into metabolism of ethanol. Consequently blood concentration of acetaldehyde increases and causes unpleasant feelings such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, lowering blood pressure, etc. Consummation of alcoholic beverages becomes extremely unpleasant during treatment with Antabuse.



Dosage and direction

Take it orally at least 12 hours after your drinking of alcohol. While taking Anabuse avoid drinking alcoholic beverages in any form: beer, wine, aftershave lotions, liquid medications, mouthwash, colognes. Take the pill with a full glass of water.



Precautions

Inform your doctor if you have problems with heart, stomach or duodenal ulcers, disorders of cerebral circulation and disulfiram psychosis in history. Cautiousness should be exercised while using Anabuse in the patients over 60 years of age.



Contraindications

Antabuse cannot be used in the patients with severe diseases of the cardiovascular system, neuritis of the auditory nerve, glaucoma, optic neuritis, bronchial asthma, emphysema, pulmonary tuberculosis, severe hepatic impairment, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, mental illness, acute peptic ulcer, diseases of kidneys, malignant tumor, polyneuritis, pregnant and breastfeeding women, allergic reaction to the medication.



Possible side effect

The most common side effects include: restlessness, headache, drowsiness, skin rash, acne, changes in vision, garlic-like aftertaste. More rare but serious adverse reactions may occur: tingling hands or feet, fatigue, weakness, strong stomach pains, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you have serious side effects, they become bothersome and worsen notify your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.



Drug interaction

Inform your health care advisor about all medications and herbal products you are taking and especially about tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), isoniazid (Nydrazid), phenytoin (Dilantin), warfarin (Coumadin), metronidazole (Flagyl), theophylline (Theo-Dur), MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); benzodiazepine such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax), clorazepate (Tranxene), temazepam (Restoril), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), triazolam (Halcion), lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others).



Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.



Overdose

Immediate medical care is needed in case of Anabuse overdose which symptoms include loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness and tingling, and seizures.



Storage

Store at room temperature of 59-86 F (15-30 C) away from moisture and sunlight. Keep away from moisture (bathroom).



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)