Hope Integrative Medicine · Medication guide
Generic disulfiram tablets: what to expect
A daily tablet that causes an unpleasant reaction if you drink, giving you a strong reason to stay alcohol-free.
At a glance
- Form
- Tablet swallowed by mouth
- How often
- Once a day
- Given by
- You, as prescribed
What it is
Disulfiram causes an unpleasant reaction, such as flushing, nausea and a pounding heart, when you drink alcohol. It is a deterrent, not a cure, and it is not a controlled medication.
The brand Antabuse is no longer sold; generic tablets are available.
Who it is for
Adults with alcohol use disorder who have stopped drinking and want a strong deterrent, as part of a plan that includes counseling and support. It is only ever taken with the patient's full knowledge.
How it is taken
Swallow the tablet by mouth once a day. The average dose is 250 mg, within a range of 125 to 500 mg.
- Take it exactly as prescribed.
How often
Once a day.
Getting started
The first dose comes only after at least 12 hours without alcohol.
- A blood test checks your liver before you begin.
Ready for the first step?
New patients are often able to be scheduled within a week of requesting an appointment.
Your visits
Treatment typically begins with an in-person assessment, followed by weekly in-person or virtual visits before moving to a monthly schedule. Each plan is tailored to the patient and their situation.
If problems come up, visits become more frequent again until things are steady.
- A urine drug test at every visit: a point-of-care test in our West Ashley office or a test at a local lab near you, with confirmatory lab testing when a result needs it.
- Screening for depression and anxiety at every visit.
- Monthly counseling, alongside your medication visits.
- Blood tests to check your liver, as your provider recommends.
- A review of how you are doing, side effects and your goals.
Safety
- A reaction can happen for up to 2 weeks after your last dose.
- Avoid hidden alcohol, such as some sauces and vinegars, and alcohol on the skin, such as aftershave, cologne and rubbing alcohol.
- Disulfiram can rarely cause serious liver damage. Tell your provider about stomach pain that lasts, dark urine or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
- Stopping heavy daily drinking suddenly can cause seizures or delirium tremens, which can be fatal. Talk to a clinician before stopping, and call 911 for confusion, hallucinations or a seizure.
Common Questions
An unpleasant reaction, such as flushing, nausea and a pounding heart. That reaction is how disulfiram helps: it gives you a strong reason not to drink.
A reaction can still happen for up to 2 weeks after your last dose.
Yes. Some sauces, vinegars and products used on the skin, such as aftershave, cologne and rubbing alcohol, contain enough alcohol to matter.
Yes. Medication works best as part of a complete plan, so monthly counseling runs alongside your medication visits.
Alcohol use disorder treatment, step by step
This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a patient–provider relationship. Every situation is different, so see a provider who can evaluate yours and develop a plan of care. Any medication discussed here may not be right for you: the right choice depends on your diagnoses, other health conditions and current medicines, so take medication only as directed by the provider managing your care. If you are ever in doubt about an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.