Disulfiram

Antabus · ATC code N07BB01

Also known as: Disülfiram

Key facts
Active substance: Disulfiram
ATC code: N07BB01
Authorisation: authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of: 2026-10-27

Boxed warning

Disulfiram should neverbe administered to a patient when he is in a state of alcohol intoxication, or without his full knowledge.
The physician should instruct relatives accordingly.

Key facts

Disulfiram is an alcohol-deterrent drug that causes an unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed. According to the US label, it is an aid in managing selected chronic alcohol patients who want to remain sober.

What it is used for

Aid in the management of selected chronic alcohol patients who want to remain in enforced sobriety so that supportive and psychotherapeutic treatment can be applied
Not a cure for alcoholism; unlikely to be effective without motivation and supportive therapy

Dosing

Never give until the patient has abstained from alcohol for at least 12 hours
Initial phase: maximum 500 mg daily as a single dose for one to two weeks
Maintenance: average 250 mg daily (range 125 to 500 mg), not exceeding 500 mg daily
If sedation occurs, may be taken at bedtime or the dose adjusted downward
Daily uninterrupted use until permanent self-control is established; may be required for months or years

Contraindications

Current or recent metronidazole, paraldehyde, alcohol or alcohol-containing preparations
Severe myocardial disease or coronary occlusion
Psychoses
Hypersensitivity to disulfiram or other thiuram derivatives

Important warnings

Boxed warning: never administer to a patient in a state of alcohol intoxication or without the patient's full knowledge
Disulfiram-alcohol reaction even with small amounts (flushing, headache, vomiting, tachycardia, hypotension); severe reactions up to cardiovascular collapse and death
Reactions may occur up to 14 days after the last dose; avoid disguised alcohol (sauces, cough mixtures, aftershave)
Hepatitis up to hepatic failure, even after many months; baseline and follow-up liver function tests
Optic neuritis, peripheral neuropathy and psychotic reactions may occur

Side effects

In the first two weeks, in a small number of patients: drowsiness, fatigability, impotence, headache, acneform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, metallic or garlic-like aftertaste
Occasional skin eruptions
Serious: hepatitis including hepatic failure, optic neuritis, polyneuritis, peripheral neuropathy, psychotic reactions

Interactions

Alcohol in any form: disulfiram-alcohol reaction
Metronidazole and paraldehyde: contraindicated
Phenytoin: levels may rise; monitor and adjust dosage
Oral anticoagulants: prothrombin time may be prolonged; dose adjustment may be needed
Isoniazid: watch for unsteady gait or marked mental status changes

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Safe use in pregnancy not established; use only when probable benefits outweigh possible risks
Should not be given to nursing mothers

Summary of the official product information, written with AI (Claude, Anthropic) on 2026-10-28. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Germany

Tetraethylthiuramdisulfid Smartpractice EuropeSmartpractice Europe Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-28

Turkey

AntabusNOBEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 16 more European countries

Czechia: Antabus
Denmark: Antabus
Finland: Antabus
France: Esperal
Hungary: Antaethyl
Iceland: Antabus
Ireland: Antabuse
Italy: Antabuse Dispergettes, Etiltox
Malta: Disural
Netherlands: Disulfiram Aurobindo, Refusal
Norway: Antabus, Disulfiram Macure
Poland: Anticol, Disulfiram Wzf
Portugal: Tetradin
Romania: Antalcol
Spain: Antabus
Sweden: Antabus

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

Other substances in the same group

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Another question about this substance?

Medelix answers clinical questions from guidelines, studies and product information – every claim with its source.

Sources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Disulfiram (Sigmapharm Laboratories, LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2024-08-20. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-27. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=40f5497f-fe84-43b2-8ff4-32d59edf3917
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-28. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-27 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.