Status of disulfiram in present day alcoholic deaddiction therapy

AIM: Assessment of safety and efficacy profile of disulfiram (DSM) in the alcoholic de-addiction regimen. OBJECTIVES: a. Assessment of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) profile; b. Evaluation of effectiveness of various deaddiction regimen; c. Defaulters and dropouts PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients in a de-addiction center were investigated on 0(th) , 30(th) and 60(th) day along with psychiatric evaluation, ADR surveillance was made. Statistical analysis was done thereafter. RESULTS: 125 mg DSM given OD for 2 months. 76.5% patients had taken full course of treatment, 45% didn't complain of any ADR. Of ADR reported 27.4% had drowsiness, 21.4% tiredness, 7.8% skin manifestation. CONCLUSION: DSM is the main drug among naltrexone, acamprosate, nalmefene and other drugs used in alcoholic de-addiction. Relative and effectiveness is lost by the degree of dropouts and hence relapses. Low-dose DSM had decreased adverse effects with 76.5% patients taking the full course of treatment. DSM alters liver functions as there were significant changes in the lab parameters of SGPT(P=0.007), SGOT(P=0.001), GGT(P=<0.001) between first and third samples. Occurrence of ADR is not the cause of default; patients find it confusing to differentiate between the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and those due to ADR of DSM.