Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

[MumOfTwo]

I am on day 1 and starting on Antabuse. Does anyone know what the minimum time is between the last alcohol intake and the first dosage. Last drink for me as was about 10pm last night, my dosage is going to be 200mg straight up. It is now 10am ish, so it has been 12 hrs.

I am desperate to get this into my system ASAP and I do not know if I will make 48hrs AF if I have to wait that long

[sunshinedaisies]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Hi there - I do not know the answer but you might want to post it on the general discussion board where more folk will see it too - I sense your desperation for wanting to get that tablet in you !!! Good Luck !!

Sun

[MumOfTwo]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Thanks Sun, will do that now

[NoraC]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Mum - I have taken it after 12 hours. Some people say to wait longer but I know that I needed to take it before I changed my mind. I looked it up on drugs.com (Antabuse Information from Drugs.com) and it said to wait at least 12 hours.
Good luck! I know that it has helped me. :h

[Greg]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Since Antabuse works by interfering with the way alcohol is metabolized, it would seem logical to assume that it is ok to take it once all alcohol is out of your system. This is the assumption I have always made when starting it. It isn't possible to know exactly when all alcohol has been metabolized just by knowing the time you started to drink, since the total amount consumed is also a factor. People also metabolize alcohol at somewhat different rates to each other, making an exact calculation even harder.

What I have done in practice is to go to my local club and use their breathalyser machine the day after drinking, to test myself. This machine is not quite as accurate as a specially calibrated type used by the police to test motorists, but is accurate enough to know approximately when a person is without alcohol in their system. When I have registered a 0.000 reading, I have then taken 1/4 of a pill of Antabuse (50 mg) that I have been carrying in my wallet, which has not caused me any bad reaction. This small amount is enough to deter me from drinking for the rest of that day, since a reaction can occur to even 1/4 of a tablet. The following day, I have then taken a larger dose, usually 100-200 mg. All alcohol should be well gone by that time.

I too have seen the 48 or 72 hour time period that some say you should wait before taking Antabuse, but I have always known I would drink again well before that time had passed. I imagine this predicament would also apply to many others who have reached a point of needing to use Antabuse. Waiting so long could be a practical proposition for those in a detox clinic or hospital setting, or maybe someone at home who is being closely supervised, but it may not be practical in other cases.

[MumOfTwo]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Thanks for your replies everyone. I am in a situation that I dont have physical cravings (yet) for AL. On AB, I would NEVER drink, I know the risks....everyones situation is different

[spacebebe01]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Hi MoT, I have only just turned on and hope your still out there hanging on, have you taken your first dose yet, Greg is right in saying that it depends on how much you were drinking to know when to take your first dose and not knowing if youve taken it yet or not I cant really say anything to help on that score. I think it would now be around 18/19 hours since you last drank so I hope your ok. I have to totally disagree with Joey on what she says. Antabuse has compleatly changed my life and has probably saved my life. It has been the only thing that has stopped me drinking. I would never drink while taking it as I know that would be very stupid and dangerous and thats what has stopped me drinking again over the past months when I would otherwise have done so. I also take campral to help heal the post acute withdrawal syndrome and low dose bac to help with anxiety and depression but niether of those would have stopped me drinking alone only antabuse has done that. It might be worthwhile checking with your doctor if its ok to take yet but most doctors dont have a clue about AL and might just tell you to wait when you cant.

If you take antabuse you do need to be clear in your mind that you want to stop drinking, once you have taken it, it will stay in your system for a good while so you would probably be having to wait a week or more before you can drink safely again.

Best wishes:l

[MumOfTwo]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Thanks Space..very very clear in my mind to stop drinking. I am going to take it in 12hrs time, that time it will be 36hrs since last drink and will take 1/2, wait and if no reaction then 1/2.

I aslo disagree with what Joey said....

[GingerDust]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Good for you, MumofTwo. Twelve hours is what I have read from the literature, so at 36 hours, you should be fine. Please keep posting and let us know how you are doing. We're pulling for you!

[spacebebe01]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Hi MoT well done on managing not to drink, Im not sure how long it was after my last drink until I started taking. I forgot to say I have have no side effects at all from antabuse and cant remember anyone else telling me of any either, but good idea to try 1/2 first so you can make sure.
I look forward to reading your posts as you get better, good luck.

[anne1232]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Mum, a lot of the cravings are for sugar...your body wanting the sugar it is suddenly missing. Not condoning sugar, but a sweet drink helps

[Running4life]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Hi:
I am pretty sure it is 12 hours.
Good luck!
R4L

[MumOfTwo]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Thanks everyone, I made it to 36hrs (I did not drink last night YAH), so will take it this morning. Yesterday I was worried that I would not make it through - but I did. Thanks for all your support xx

[Greg]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

Hi MumOfTwo, glad to hear you made the 36 hours! I continue to find Antabuse very helpful, in conjunction with other medications as needed. I hope you also find it useful.

[MumOfTwo]

Minimun length of time between AL and 1st Antabuse dose?

First dose of antabuse done and dusted with no SE already feeling in control at lot more..will be taking the 200mg everyday