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antabuse (disulfiram)
Disulfiram inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing toxic acetaldehyde accumulation when alcohol is consumed, producing an aversive reaction that discourages drinking.
Disulfiram inhibits the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing toxic acetaldehyde accumulation when alcohol is consumed, producing an aversive reaction that discourages drinking. Used for Alcohol use disorder (maintenance of abstinence).
At a glance
| Generic name | antabuse (disulfiram) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Psykiatrisk Center Gentofte |
| Drug class | Aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor |
| Target | Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Addiction Medicine |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Disulfiram irreversibly inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the enzyme responsible for metabolizing acetaldehyde, an intermediate in alcohol metabolism. When a patient taking disulfiram consumes alcohol, acetaldehyde accumulates to toxic levels, triggering an unpleasant disulfiram-alcohol reaction characterized by flushing, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and hypotension. This aversive conditioning is intended to reinforce abstinence in alcohol use disorder treatment.
Approved indications
- Alcohol use disorder (maintenance of abstinence)
Common side effects
- Disulfiram-alcohol reaction (flushing, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, hypotension)
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Hepatotoxicity
- Metallic taste
- Drowsiness
Key clinical trials
- Disulfiram With Copper Gluconate and Liposomal Doxorubicin in Treatment-Refractory Sarcomas (PHASE1)
- A Study of Gefitinib, Trametinib, Disulfiram, and Sunitinib in Addition to Standard Chemotherapy in People With Osteosarcoma (PHASE2)
- Anxiety During Abstinence in AUD (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Combining a Smartphone App With Medications to Manage Heavy Drinking (NA)
- The Effects of Disulfiram (Antabuse®) on Visual Acuity in Patients With Retinal Degeneration (PHASE1)
- Phase II Trial of Disulfiram With Copper in Metastatic Breast Cancer (PHASE2)
- Disulfiram/Copper Combination In The Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma Multiform (PHASE2)
- Disulfiram/Copper With Concurrent Radiation Therapy and Temozolomide in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma (PHASE1, PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- antabuse (disulfiram) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- antabuse (disulfiram) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Psykiatrisk Center Gentofte portfolio CI