Disulfiram
Disulfiram is an alcohol deterrent used in alcohol dependence: it makes drinking unpleasant, and it is listed here as Antabuse and plain disulfiram tablets in 250mg and 500mg.
Disulfiram
Disulfiram
250/500mg
Disulfiram tablets in 250mg and 500mg, taken once a day to help someone who has stopped drinking stay away from alcohol.
What disulfiram does
Disulfiram is an alcohol deterrent, used in alcohol dependence — drinking that is harmful and difficult to stop — as one part of a wider recovery plan. It works on a liver enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase, which clears acetaldehyde, the substance formed as the body breaks down alcohol. Disulfiram blocks that step, so acetaldehyde builds up instead of being cleared away. Drink anything at all and the level climbs fast: the face flushes, the head pounds, the stomach turns, the heart races and blood pressure can drop. That reaction is the point. What disulfiram does not do is dull the urge to drink; it makes drinking itself the unpleasant part.
How it is taken
One tablet once a day is the usual pattern, and treatment starts only after at least 12 hours without alcohol. It is designed to sit alongside a support programme or talking therapy rather than stand alone. Sensitivity to alcohol does not switch off when the tablets do: a reaction can still be triggered for up to two weeks after the last dose, which is how long alcohol needs to stay out of the picture. Store the tablets in their original pack, somewhere cool and out of direct light.
Side effects
Drowsiness and tiredness are the ones people notice most. A metallic or garlic-like taste in the mouth, headache, skin rash and nausea are also reported. More serious, though uncommon, are liver injury (yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pain under the right ribs) and nerve damage that shows up as tingling or numbness in the hands and feet. Confusion or low mood has been reported too. A drink taken while on disulfiram can bring on a severe reaction — chest pain, breathing difficulty or fainting needs urgent treatment.
Alcohol in everyday products
Drinks are not the only source. Mouthwash, cough syrup, liquid medicines, hand sanitiser, some sauces and vinegars, even aftershave, can hold enough ethanol to set off a reaction, and small amounts count. The ingredients list, where alcohol or ethanol appears, is the place to look.
Antabuse and plain disulfiram
Two listings carry this medicine. Antabuse is the brand name, as 250mg and 500mg tablets; Disulfiram tablets is the plain name, with the same two strengths and the same tablet form. Nothing separates them but the name on the pack and the pack size you choose. The strength you order follows the daily amount you have been using.
Sources
- Disulfiram 200 mg tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) | 11168 — UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)
- Alcohol-use disorder - NHS — NHS
Is Disulfiram available to order in Hong Kong?
Disulfiram can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong, listed as generic Antabuse and plain Disulfiram tablets, both in 250mg and 500mg. Payment is by Visa, Mastercard or American Express on a secure, encrypted page, or by Bitcoin or Ethereum.
What is the price of Disulfiram?
Prices vary between the two disulfiram products and between pack sizes. Every product page lists its current prices in HKD or in the currency you choose.
Do I need a prescription to order Disulfiram?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order disulfiram. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for disulfiram?
Antabuse is a brand name of disulfiram, which is also sold as Esperal. Here, disulfiram can be bought online as generic Antabuse and disulfiram tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
Is Antabuse the same as disulfiram?
Yes. Antabuse is the brand name for disulfiram, and both of the tablets on this page hold the same medicine in 250mg and 500mg. What changes between them is the name on the pack, not the ingredient, the strength or the form.
What happens if I drink alcohol while taking disulfiram?
Even a small drink can bring on flushing, a throbbing headache, nausea and vomiting, a fast or pounding heartbeat and a fall in blood pressure. It starts within minutes and lasts as long as there is alcohol in the body, and a heavy drinking session makes the reaction worse.
How long after stopping disulfiram can I drink alcohol?
A reaction is still possible for up to two weeks after the last tablet, so alcohol needs to stay out of drinks, food and mouthwash for that whole window. That is longer than most people expect from a medicine taken once a day.
Does disulfiram stop cravings for alcohol?
No. Disulfiram does not reduce the urge to drink and is not a replacement for a support programme or talking therapy. Its job is to make the after-effects of a drink come on quickly and feel thoroughly unpleasant, which helps someone who has decided to stop stay stopped.
Can I drink alcohol-free beer while taking disulfiram?
Most alcohol-free beer and wine still contain a trace of alcohol, and some people react to even that. Treat anything that has been through fermentation as a possible trigger for flushing, headache and nausea, and read the ingredients before you pour a glass.