Antabuse/disulfiram question

[star-fish]

I am on day 14 of alcohol sobriety. I had been taking 750 mg of antabuse per day for about 2 weeks and have now reduced this to 500 mg per day. It goes down to 250 mg per day (1 tablet) in another week. I have been having headaches for at least the last week and feel tired all the time. Other times when I gave up alcohol - without antabuse- I felt alive and didn't have headaches. I think the antabuse is probably a great tool for me to use but should I be worried about these side effects? Will they get better?

[NoraC]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

Congratulations on 14 days. :goodjob: The headache & tiredness can be side effects.

This medication may cause headache, drowsiness, restlessness, skin rash, acne, garlic-like aftertaste, changes in vision. Inform your doctor if any of these effects persist or worsen. Unlikely to occur but report immediately: tingling hands or feet, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, strong stomach pains, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

I am taking antabuse but I never took those doses. I am just taking 1/2 pill every other day. That is enough to work for me and keep me from drinking. I am not having side effects so hopefully once you reduce your dosage, your headache will get better.

[star-fish]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

antabuse

NoraC;1038193 wrote: Congratulations on 14 days. :goodjob: The headache & tiredness can be side effects.


I am taking antabuse but I never took those doses. I am just taking 1/2 pill every other day. That is enough to work for me and keep me from drinking. I am not having side effects so hopefully once you reduce your dosage, your headache will get better.

Thanks for this. How long have you ben taking antabuse? Does it help you to stay sober?

[NoraC]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

Antabuse does help me stay sober. I took it for 2 months at the end of last year. I stopped taking it & I drank again. I just started it again and it does help me. It makes the voice stop in my head. That debate that goes on about am I going to drink today or not. I am trying to use the antabuse to help me while I develop the tools I need to do it without the med.

[autumn]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

Hi Star,

I too am on Antabuse, but a very low dose. I started on 200mg but now it is in my system I have halved it to 100mg a day. 50 days (and counting) I have not had any side effects apart from a small rash on my arm & leg which cleared up asap with antihistamine cream.

Just taking the dose each morning is enough to know that under NO circumstances will I drink today. I am way too scared of having a reaction, it sounds horrific!! Trust me, I am the queen of pushing my luck, (think 'wet paint, do not touch'...well you have too lol) but the 100mg is enough for me to focus on sobriety, and knowing it is in my system for a week means I cant just miss taking it tomorrow and go on a binge! Works for me

I am sooooo with NoraC, on the voices and fighting in my head were way too much to bear. Antabuse for me makes the voices non-negotable & sobriety wins!

I hope the side effects go once you are able to reduce the dose.

[marybel]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

I am starting antabuse on Monday..I am very excited but a little scared

[NoraC]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

Marybel - I was nervous too before I started taking it. Now, it's just another pill in my morning routine. I don't even think about it. I take it every other day and I can't even remember if I took it today or yesterday. I fill up my pill container once a week and just drop them in.
You absolutely can not drink for at least 10 days after you take it. It has been really helpful for me. I hope that you have good luck with it too. I am also working on different areas in my life so that I can learn to cope without drinking. I have started going to AA and I am seeing a therapist. With all of these tools, I am feeling so much better.
Be sure to let us know how you are doing.

[marybel]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

Hi NoraC,
I did start Antause on Sunday , so now starting day 5!!!! It has been awesome! There is no internally conversations debating to have wine or not, I just can not! So every day I take it I am signing up for another 10 days AF!
My only side affect is that I am tired, but that could be my body adjusting to sobriety!

Thanks for the support!

[NoraC]

Antabuse/disulfiram question

Marybel - I agree that stopping those voices is wonderful. You don't have to have the debate in your head when you know you can't drink. I think that the tiredness will pass. And, I do think that a lot of it is your body adjusting to no alcohol. Congratulations!!!!!