Tablets "Antabus". Reviews, price, instruction

Alcoholism is a disease that is characterized by a predilection for ethyl alcohol with physical and mental dependence on it. This is a kind of substance abuse. In this state, the amount of alcohol consumed is lost, tolerance increases (tolerance for alcohol is constantly increased), and withdrawal symptoms occur, internal organs become affected and memory dips appear .

Patients suffering from alcoholism are called alcoholics. To treat this disease should be mentally and physically. Very often doctors prescribe to such people the drug Antabus. Instructions for use, the price of the medicine, the doctors' opinions are presented below.

Packaging, form, description and composition

In what form is Antabus sold? The patients' comments say that such a remedy can be bought in the form of white and round effervescent tablets. They have a flat shape, beveled edges, risk and labeling "CD" and "C" on different sides of the risks.

The composition of this medication is disulfiram. In addition, the preparation contains corn starch, povidone, sodium hydrogen carbonate, tartaric acid, silicon dioxide colloid, talc, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate.

Tablets "Antabus" are placed in polyethylene containers and packs of cardboard.

Pharmacodynamic features

What is the Antabus medicine? The instruction states that this is an anti-alcoholic remedy. It inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which takes part 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 pulsating pain and head noise, tachycardia, palpitation, lowering blood pressure, nausea, blurred vision and vomiting.

According to experts, such unpleasant symptoms contribute to the development of conditioned reflex aversion to alcoholic beverages.

Pharmacokinetic properties

How does the absorption of Antabus take place? The instruction indicates that this medication is absorbed by 70-80%. It dissolves well in lipids and has the property of accumulating in fat stores.

The active substance of this agent is very quickly metabolized, as a result of which it is converted into the metabolite - methyl diethylthiocarbamic acid ester. Its peak concentration in the blood is determined after 4 hours. Although the activity with respect to acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is observed only after three days.

The half-life of the drug is 10 hours. However, its activity with respect to the aldehyde dehydrogenase persists much longer. Therefore, after the abolition of the tablets, the effect is observed for 7-14 days.

The drug is excreted along with the urine, through the intestine and partly with the exhaled air.

Indications

In what cases is the Antabus medicament most effective? The reviews say that this remedy is actively used to prevent relapse in the treatment of alcohol dependence and alcoholism chronic.

Contraindications

When should you not take Antabus tablets? The responses of experts say that the drug in question can not be prescribed when:

• Glaucoma;
• Optic neuritis of the optic and auditory nerve;
• Pulmonary tuberculosis;
• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels (for example, with postinfarction states, severe cardiosclerosis, cerebral arteriosclerosis, hypertension, aortic aneurysm);
• Polyneuritis of any origin;
• Diabetes mellitus;
• Emphysema of the lungs, bronchial asthma;
• Thyrotoxicosis;
• Mental illness, epilepsy and epileptiform syndrome;
• Malignant tumor;
• Severe hepatic, as well as kidney deficiencies;
• Hematopoiesis;
• Exacerbation of peptic ulcer;
• Pregnancy;
• Increased sensitivity.

It should also be noted that this medication has relative contraindications:

• Age from 60 years;
• The consequences of a stroke with residual events;
• Peptic ulcer (including in remission);
• Antabuse psychoses.

Antabus preparation: instructions for use

The price of the anti-alcohol tablets is indicated at the end of the article. Take them should be inside, previously dissolved in ½ cup of water.

As a rule, doctors prescribe 200-500 mg of the drug once or twice a day. After 7 days necessarily conduct a disulfiram-alcohol test. In parallel with taking 500 mg of medication, the patient drinks 20-30 ml of vodka. If the reaction is weak, then the dose of alcohol is increased by 20 ml.

This sample is repeated several times. In the future, the ball appoint a maintenance dosage equal to 200 mg per day for 1-3 years.

Adverse Reactions

Tablets "Antabus", reviewed below, can cause the following side effects:

• Hepatitis, asthenia, taste of metal in the mouth;
• Skin manifestations, polyneuritis of the legs;
• Loss of memory, cerebral edema, headaches;
• Myocardial infarction, heart rhythm disturbances;
• Respiratory insufficiency, cardiovascular collapse;
• Neuritis of the optic nerve, thrombosis of the vessels of the brain;
• Psychoses, stenocardia.

"Antabus" medication: doctors' reviews and price

The cost of anti-alcohol tablets is about 450-600 rubles (depends on the dose and quantity in the package).

Doctors who prescribe this drug immediately warn of serious complications that may arise in the patient against the background of his prima. Therefore, categorically it is forbidden to carry out treatment independently or in secret from the patient.

It should also be noted that most experts agree that effective drugs that suppress the craving for alcohol are not. And this method is not a therapy. It only contributes to a stable remission.