Disulfiram: Uses, Safety and Drug Interactions

Disulfiram: uses, safety and drug interactions

Overview: Disulfiram is a medicine used as an adjunct to supported treatment for alcohol use disorder in carefully selected adults. It is not a treatment to give secretly and should not be started while someone is drinking or intoxicated. The person must understand the potentially dangerous reaction that alcohol can cause.

Uses and formulation: The reviewed UK tablet information places treatment within an experienced clinical team and requires appropriate psychological and social support. Disulfiram does not replace assessment or treatment of alcohol withdrawal. The treatment plan, medical suitability and ongoing review should be agreed with the clinician. Different national product documents may have different contraindication wording.

Safety: Avoid alcohol throughout treatment and for up to fourteen days after the last dose. Some foods, liquid medicines, mouth products and other preparations contain alcohol, so check the actual ingredients with a pharmacist. Chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, breathing difficulty or a severe reaction after alcohol exposure need urgent help. Liver injury can occur even without a reaction to alcohol; jaundice, dark urine or marked unexplained illness require prompt assessment.

Drug interactions: Important documented partners include metronidazole, warfarin, phenytoin, theophylline and diazepam. The mechanism and recommended response differ between these combinations. Do not assume every antibiotic or sleeping medicine has the same interaction. Give the treatment team a complete medicine list and do not adjust doses, stop treatment or test the alcohol reaction yourself.

Sources

• Brown & Burk Disulfiram 200 mg tablets — UK SmPC
• Unichem/RemedyRepack Metronidazole tablets — US prescribing information
• Alvogen Disulfiram tablets — US prescribing information

This page provides an English summary of the cited sources. Source check: 30 October 2026. This date records a source check, not a clinical review by a doctor or pharmacist. Follow the current leaflet for your product and seek professional advice for personal treatment.