Alcoholism is a disease that is characterized by addiction to ethyl alcohol with physical and mental dependence on it. This is a type of substance abuse. In this condition, control over the amount of alcohol consumed is lost, tolerance to it increases (to achieve satisfaction, the dose of alcohol is constantly increasing), as well as withdrawal symptoms, internal organs are affected and memory lapses appear .
Patients suffering from alcoholism are called alcoholics. This disease should be treated mentally and physically. Very often, doctors prescribe Antabus to such people. Instructions for use, the price of medication, reviews of doctors are presented below.
Packaging, form, description and composition
In what form is Antabus sold? Reviews of patients report that such a tool can be bought in the form of white and round effervescent tablets. They have a flat shape, beveled edges, at-risk and labeled “CD” and “C” on opposite sides of the risks.
The composition of this medicine includes disulfiram. In addition to it, the preparation contains corn starch, povidone, sodium bicarbonate, tartaric acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.
Antabus tablets are placed in plastic containers and packs of cardboard.
Pharmacodynamic features
What is the medicine "Antabus"? The instruction claims that it is an anti-alcohol. It inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is involved in the metabolism of ethyl alcohol. The delay in its oxidation process causes the accumulation of alcohol and the development of severe intoxication, accompanied by severe sensations in the form of throbbing pain and noise in the head, tachycardia, palpitations, lowering blood pressure, nausea, blurred vision and vomiting.
According to experts, such unpleasant symptoms contribute to the development of conditioned reflex aversion to alcohol.
Pharmacokinetic properties
How does the absorption of the drug "Antabus"? The instruction indicates that this medication is absorbed by 70-80%. It is highly soluble in lipids and tends to accumulate in fat depots.
The active substance of this agent is metabolized very quickly, as a result of which it is converted into a metabolite - methyl diethylthiocarbamic acid ester. Its peak concentration in the blood is determined after 4 hours. Although activity with respect to acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is observed only after three days.
The half-life of the drug is 10 hours. At the same time, its activity against aldehyde dehydrogenase lasts much longer. Therefore, after the abolition of the tablets, the effect of them is observed for another 7-14 days.
The drug is excreted along with urine, through the intestines and partially with exhaled air.
Indications
In what cases does Antabuse medication work most effectively? Reviews report that this tool is actively used to prevent relapse in the treatment of alcohol dependence and chronic alcoholism.
Contraindications
When should you not take Antabus tablets? Reviews of experts say that the drug in question can not be prescribed for:
- glaucoma
- optic and auditory nerve neuritis;
- pulmonary tuberculosis;
- heart and vascular diseases (for example, in post-infarction conditions, severe cardiosclerosis, cerebral arteriosclerosis, hypertension, aortic aneurysm);
- polyneuritis of any origin;
- diabetes mellitus;
- emphysema, bronchial asthma;
- thyrotoxicosis;
- mental illness, epilepsy and epileptiform syndrome;
- malignant tumor;
- severe hepatic as well as renal failure;
- blood formation diseases;
- exacerbation of peptic ulcer;
- pregnancy
- hypersensitivity.
It should also be noted that this medication has relative contraindications:
- age from 60 years;
- consequences of a stroke with residual effects;
- peptic ulcer (including in remission);
- antabuse psychoses.
The drug "Antabus": instructions for use
The price of anti-alcohol tablets is indicated at the end of the article. They should be taken orally, previously dissolved in a ½ cup of water.
As a rule, doctors prescribe 200-500 mg of the drug once or twice a day. After 7 days, a disulfiram-alcohol test is required. In parallel with taking 500 mg of the drug, the patient drinks 20-30 ml of vodka. If the reaction is weak, then the dose of alcohol is increased by 20 ml.
This test is repeated several times. In the future, the ball is prescribed a maintenance dosage of 200 mg per day for 1-3 years.
Adverse reactions
Antabuse pills, reviews of which are presented below, can cause the following side effects:
- hepatitis, asthenia, the taste of metal in the mouth;
- skin manifestations, polyneuritis of the legs;
- memory loss, cerebral edema, headaches;
- myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmias;
- respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse;
- optic neuritis, cerebral vascular thrombosis;
- psychoses, angina pectoris.
Medication "Antabus": reviews of doctors and price
The cost of anti-alcohol tablets is about 450-600 rubles (depending on the dose and quantity in the package).
Doctors prescribing such a drug immediately warn of serious complications that may occur in a patient against the background of his prima. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to conduct treatment on their own or in secret from the patient.
It should also be noted that most experts agree that there are no effective medications that suppress the craving for alcohol. And this method is not a therapy. It only contributes to stable remission.