Disulfiram is an alcohol antagonist drug. CHEMICAL NAME: bis(diethylthiocarbamoyl) disulfide. STRUCTURAL FORMULA: C 10 H 20 N 2 S 4 M.W. 296.54 Disulfiram occurs as a white to off-white, odorless, and almost tasteless powder, soluble in water to the extent of about 20 mg in 100 mL, and in alcohol to the extent of about 3.8 g in 100 mL. Each tablet for oral administration contains 250 mg or 500 mg disulfiram, USP. Tablets also contain anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and poloxamer. image description

What kind of drug is disulfiram?

The FDA classifies disulfiram as an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take disulfiram with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run disulfiram against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is disulfiram sold under?

We track 2 disulfiram-containing products in the U.S.: Antabuse and Disulfiram. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does disulfiram come in?

Across the brands we track, disulfiram is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic disulfiram?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic disulfiram product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Disulfiram: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Disulfiram is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for alcoholism. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibitor
Treats: Alcoholism
Available as: Tablet
Sold as: 2 products — Antabuse and Disulfiram
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $51 for a 30-count supply

How disulfiram is dosed

From the FDA label for Antabuse (application NDA007883). Other disulfiram products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Disulfiram should never be administered until the patient has abstained from alcohol for at least 12 hours. Initial Dosage Schedule In the first phase of treatment, a maximum of 500 mg daily is given in a single dose for one to two weeks. Although usually taken in the morning, disulfiram may be taken on retiring by patients who experience a sedative effect. Alternatively, to minimize, or eliminate, the sedative effect, dosage may be adjusted downward. Maintenance Regimen The average maintenance dose is 250 mg daily (range, 125 to 500 mg), it should not exceed 500 mg daily. Note : Occasionally patients, while seemingly on adequate maintenance doses of disulfiram, report that they are able to drink alcoholic beverages with impunity and without any symptomatology. All appearances to the contrary, such patients must be presumed to be disposing of their tablets in some manner without actually taking them. Until such patients have been observed reliably taking their daily disulfiram tablets (preferably crushed and well mixed with liquid), it cannot be concluded that disulfiram is ineffective. Duration of Therapy The daily, uninterrupted administration of disulfiram must be continued until the patient is fully recovered socially and a basis for permanent self-control is established. Depending on the individual patient, maintenance therapy may be required for months or even years.…

Disulfiram side effects

See CONTRAINDICATIONS , WARNINGS , and PRECAUTIONS .) OPTIC NEURITIS, PERIPHERAL NEURITIS, POLYNEURITIS, AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY MAY OCCUR FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF DISULFIRAM. Multiple cases of hepatitis, including both cholestatic and fulminant hepatitis, as well as hepatic failure resulting in transplantation or death, have been reported with administration of disulfiram. Occasional skin eruptions are, as a rule, readily controlled by concomitant administration of an antihistaminic drug. In a small number of patients, a transient mild drowsiness, fatigability, impotence, headache, acneform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, or a metallic or garlic-like aftertaste may be experienced during the first two weeks of therapy. These complaints usually disappear spontaneously with the continuation of therapy, or with reduced dosage. Psychotic reactions have been noted, attributable in most cases to high dosage, combined toxicity (with metronidazole or isoniazid), or to the unmasking of underlying psychoses in patients stressed by the withdrawal of alcohol.

Every disulfiram product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Disulfiram products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Antabuse	Not yet rated	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$51	View →
2	Disulfiram	Not yet rated	Prescription	Tablet	Generic	$51	View →

What disulfiram pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Disulfiram pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
607	250 mg	white	round	—
607	250 mg	white	round	—
607	250 mg	white	round	—
28	250 mg	white	capsule	—
29	500 mg	white	capsule	—
CE;31	250 mg	white

Frequently asked questions

What is disulfiram?: Disulfiram is an alcohol antagonist drug. CHEMICAL NAME: bis(diethylthiocarbamoyl) disulfide. STRUCTURAL FORMULA: C 10 H 20 N 2 S 4 M.W. 296.54 Disulfiram occurs as a white to off-white, odorless, and almost tasteless powder, soluble in water to the extent of about 20 mg in 100 mL, and in alcohol to the extent of about 3.8 g in 100 mL. Each tablet for oral administration contains 250 mg or 500 mg disulfiram, USP. Tablets also contain anhydrous lactose, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and poloxamer. image description
What kind of drug is disulfiram?: The FDA classifies disulfiram as an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take disulfiram with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run disulfiram against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is disulfiram sold under?: We track 2 disulfiram-containing products in the U.S.: Antabuse and Disulfiram. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does disulfiram come in?: Across the brands we track, disulfiram is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic disulfiram?: Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic disulfiram product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Disulfiram drug interactions

Disulfiram appears to decrease the rate at which certain drugs are metabolized and therefore may increase the blood levels and the possibility of clinical toxicity of drugs given concomitantly. DISULFIRAM SHOULD BE USED WITH CAUTION IN THOSE PATIENTS RECEIVING PHENYTOIN AND ITS CONGENERS, SINCE THE CONCOMITANT ADMINISTRATION OF THESE TWO DRUGS CAN LEAD TO PHENYTOIN INTOXICATION. PRIOR TO ADMINISTERING DISULFIRAM TO A PATIENT ON PHENYTOIN THERAPY, A BASELINE PHENYTOIN SERUM LEVEL SHOULD BE OBTAINED. SUBSEQUENT TO INITIATION OF DISULFIRAM THERAPY, SERUM LEVELS OF PHENYTOIN SHOULD BE DETERMINED ON DIFFERENT DAYS FOR EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASE OR FOR A CONTINUING RISE IN LEVELS. INCREASED PHENYTOIN LEVELS SHOULD BE TREATED WITH APPROPRIATE DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT. It may be necessary to adjust the dosage of oral anticoagulants upon beginning or stopping disulfiram, since disulfiram may prolong prothrombin time. Patients taking isoniazid when disulfiram is given should be observed for the appearance of unsteady gait or marked changes in mental status, the disulfiram should be discontinued if such signs appear. In rats, simultaneous ingestion of disulfiram and nitrite in the diet for 78 weeks has been reported to cause tumors, and it has been suggested that disulfiram may react with nitrites in the rat stomach to form a nitrosamine, which is tumorigenic. Disulfiram alone in…