Alconol (disulfiram) offers patients a unique tool in battling alcoholism. An alcohol antagonist medication, this product causes a severe negative effect, similar to a severe hangover, in patients who drink alcohol.

Alconol is unlikely to be successful on its own. Patients should be determined to quit drinking; drive and willpower are important, and a reliable support network can also help tremendously. Treatment also requires quitting cold-turkey; after a single dose of Alconol, negative effects may be experienced if any alcohol is consumed in the next two weeks.

This product does not reduce cravings for alcohol. Other medications that do reduce cravings may also be administered.

What to Expect from Alconol

Alconol can be a very useful aid in the management of alcohol dependency. The medication definitely works; concerns about patient desire to quit have more to do with the patient continuing to take it than failure of the medication to work. This is why personal drive and support networks are so important.

If alcohol is consumed after the medication has been taken, the patient begins to feel effects about 10 minutes later. Effects can last 30 minutes to several hours. Alconol causes the body to mimic a hangover, including:

• Flushing of skin
• Throbbing in the head and neck
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating and thirst
• Blurred vision
• Vertigo
• Confusion
• Heart palpitations
• Labored breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Fainting

Some of the above can be dangerous, and some individuals have suffered complete cardiovascular collapse and death if they persist in drinking after taking Antabuse. It is rare that an individual is so determined, however, as the severity of these effects are directly proportionate to the amount of alcohol consumed.

Alconol is absorbed and eliminated from the body slowly; a single dose may remain active in the body for up to two weeks. There is no tolerance build-up to Alconol, and treatment can span months or years.

Dosage & Administration

Patients should not initiate treatment if any alcohol has been consumed in the previous 12 hours. When ready to start taking Alconol:

• Start with 500 mg, taken as a single dose, once per day for one to two weeks.
• After the initial week or two, dosage may be adjusted downward to 250 mg.
• Some patients are able to take 125 mg per day, while others need to stay at 500 mg.
• Do not exceed 500 mg per day.
• Tablets may be swallowed whole, or they can be split or crushed and mixed in wet food or drinks.

Treatment may continue for as long as it is deemed beneficial, which often spans months or years.

Cravings are much more varied. Some patients will continue to crave alcohol for the remainder of life, though to a lesser degree as time goes on. Others recover fairly quickly, with no powerful cravings after a few months. Other medications can also influence cravings. It's largely a personal variable.

Patients taking Alconol should be aware that it works on all alcohol. Alcohol is a common ingredient in many over-the-counter medications, such as cough syrups, as well as many foods. These are best avoided.

Warnings before Use

Patients should make sure the prescribing doctor is aware of other major medical conditions, most notably:

• Heart disease
• Kidney or liver issues
• Diabetes
• Thyroid issues
• Epilepsy
• Mental illness

Individuals who are allergic to rubber or latex may not be able to take Alconol.

Other side effects are relatively common, but typically mild and tend to disappear after a few weeks of treatment, including:

• Sexual dysfunction
• Drowsiness
• Unpleasant taste in mouth

Patients who experience the following side effects without drinking alcohol should seek medical attention:

• Blurred vision
• Numbness or tingling, particularly in hands or feet
• Severe stomach pain
• Stomach pain that radiates to the back
• Rash or itching
• Jaundice

Alconol can interact with a wide range of other medications, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before mixing treatments.