Hi all I started taking antibuse about 6 weeks ago with no major side effects and i'm nearly 2 months af. But the last 3 weeks or so I have been very tired most days sometimes have to take a nap something I never did often daily. Is it ok to take the antibuse at night and is it just as effective? My dr told me to take it in the morning but just wondering if I took it late evening or just before bed will it help with the daily fatigue. I know drowsiness is a side effect but just looking for input on this and if anyone else had this problem thanks.
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Antbuse question
You can take it at night. because it stays in the system for so long it doesnt matter if you take it morning or night. The main thing of course is not to drink while its in your system and you shouldn't play Russian roulette with calculating whether or not you can drink. Just keep taking the pill regularly (nights will be fine) and don't drink.
The other option is also to reduce the amount you take - to counteract the sleepiness. Again, if you have even a little bit of antabuse in your body it will still be effective. Might be worth talking to your dr if you are worried.
Good luck and congratulations on being AF for so many weeks. Its well worth it! -
Antbuse question
Thanks Treetops I for got to mention my dr put me on 200mg daily and she gave me 3 months scripts to start. I'll start taking it at night and see how that goes. I have to see my dr before it runs out so if i talk to her then and see if i need to stay on the same dose.Comment
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Antbuse question
HiFirefox.
I hope you don't mind me asking, how are you finding Antabuse? do you have a strong desire to drink etc
The reason I ask is I wanted to try it for years and finally got some from the USA but keep putting off my start date I suppose because taking the first pill is a big step. So was hoping you could give me some words of how it is for you and it may help to encourage me to finally get startedIts easier not to start than stopComment
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Antbuse question
Firefox,
I take Antabuse and started taking it at night due to the mild tiredness side effect. My doctor agreed it is fine because it stays in your system for a long time.
My psychiatrist told me last week she wants me to stay on it indefinitely. Years, if that is what it takes. I am thrilled.
GM,
Antabuse has helped me tremendously. The US Veterans Admin used to give its alcoholic soldiers Antabuse in the hopes it would help. It got a very bad rep because of the failure rate. As I explained to my Counselor, though, no one would have been able to give me Antabuse as an aid to quit, only I could want to quit enough to want to use it. Does that make sense?
Good luck.
CindiAF April 9, 2016Comment
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Antbuse question
GMCinders;1526778 wrote: Firefox,
I take Antabuse and started taking it at night due to the mild tiredness side effect. My doctor agreed it is fine because it stays in your system for a long time.
My psychiatrist told me last week she wants me to stay on it indefinitely. Years, if that is what it takes. I am thrilled.
GM,
Antabuse has helped me tremendously. The US Veterans Admin used to give its alcoholic soldiers Antabuse in the hopes it would help. It got a very bad rep because of the failure rate. As I explained to my Counselor, though, no one would have been able to give me Antabuse as an aid to quit, only I could want to quit enough to want to use it. Does that make sense?
Good luck.
Cindi
What Cindi says +
It does not take away the desire to drink - but you know you CAN'T so you do not dwell on it and move on to something else. Works a treat for me.
Try it if you have been AF for 24 hours ( the hardest bit anyway)
It helps to take the will I ? won't ? maybe one ? thought out of the equation. You just CAN'T.
Good LuckComment
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Antbuse question
Thanks took my first pill today.
Hopefully as you say i will not be battling mentally all day as whether to drink tonight or not as i know i cant now :O)Its easier not to start than stopComment
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Antbuse question
Just a caution - if you stay on antabuse you should make sure you have regular liver tests.Comment
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Antbuse question
True, TT. My doc says every 6 months or so. Of course, she also said to me, "Isn't it odd we worry about Antabuse's affect on the liver when you have regularly been pouring a fifth of poison down your throat for the past year or so?" :-)treetops;1527105 wrote: Just a caution - if you stay on antabuse you should make sure you have regular liver tests.
But, for some, Antabuse really can have an adverse affect on the liver and should be monitored.
CindiAF April 9, 2016Comment
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Antbuse question
I can't take AB because of my liver. Just a small amount of AB made my levels worse than they were from AL. I have to be careful with all medications now and of course AL is out of the equation unless I want to hasten my time on this planetComment
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Antbuse question
TT Yikes!!
Luckily, my LFTs all come in okay unless taken while drinking.
I am grateful because without AB, I doubt I would have this much sobriety under my belt.
My daughter is a different story, though.AF April 9, 2016Comment
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Antbuse question
Really. I has a blood test about 3 years ago and the doctor said I should cut down my drinking and exercise more otherwise he would predict heart disease in 10 years making me 50. Anyway I done neither so figured another blood test would just show the same results but slightly worse. I was thinking 6 months AF then have a blood test
Do you think I should make an appointment with the nurse and explain my situation then ?Its easier not to start than stopComment
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Antbuse question
Thought I'd chime in here- my understanding is that Antabuse definitely DOES affect liver and while on it regular liver tests should be taken. I'm on a lower dose of bac and also nal, and sometimes use targetted antabuse (which I know is quite a lof of meds in combination) and my MD has me do monthly liver tests.
Also, it's been noted a lot elsewhere but I thought I'd reiterate here that, while an effective solution for many people, Antabuse is a serious drug with a long half life once in your system. It can seriously damage you if you try to drink on it while ANY antabuse is still in your system- it can take more than a week or two to leave your body after you stop taking it. If you drink too soon after stopping Antabuse, you can seriously damage your liver... not trying to scare you just be very deliberate about taking Antabuse (and any other med for that matter).Comment
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