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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by katia on February 4, 2004, at 13:59:52
Anyone out there on antabuse?
What's your experience been like?
I got 250mg tablets to take once a day. i quartered them all and I take that per day so as to make them last four months (it's expensive) and I don't want any side effects. At that dose, do you know if I have to stay away from red wine sauces, perfumes with alcohol, etc.? The pharmacists didn't have a clue.
thanks-
katia
Posted by twainesworld on February 6, 2004, at 20:07:52
In reply to Antabuse users, posted by katia on February 4, 2004, at 13:59:52
Hi Katia,
Gosh, it's pretty sad (and frightening) that PHARMACISTS didn't have a clue for you about the side effects from taking a certain mg of Antabuse!! UGH!!
As I remember from my ex several years back, who was taking Antabuse during a treatment program he was in for a DWI, even SHAMPOO that had alcohol in it (like certain Dandruff Shampoos, or shampoo with Melaleuca, or Tea Tree Oil, for instance) made him sick -- and he was on a very small amount also! Same with mouthwash - he couldn't even rinse his mouth or gargle with it without becoming desperately ill!!
I would call around to other pharmacies and ask them, though, to be certain (as I would think - and HOPE - one of them would/should know), but be very vigilant about ingesting, or using topically even, anything with alcohol in it! Antabuse is awfully strong stuff!!
Hopefully KBL will post an answer for you, as she seems to be very knowledgeable about drugs, amounts, etc.
Take Care.............. :o)
Posted by katia on February 6, 2004, at 20:18:09
In reply to Re: Antabuse users, posted by twainesworld on February 6, 2004, at 20:07:52
Hi,
I took 1/4 of a pill for two nights and stopped. 36 hours ago was my last one (and second one!).
Do you know how long it stays in the system?
I feel like a glass of vino!
I'm in the process of buying a house and it's not a good time to try and do both!
thanks for your response!
Katia
Posted by krazybirdlady on February 7, 2004, at 11:31:54
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » twainesworld, posted by katia on February 6, 2004, at 20:18:09
antabuse (disulfiram), will generally stay in your system for 24 - 48 hrs. they warn people to avoid alcohol for 14 days after stopping the drug. since you were on such a small dose and only for 2 days, i would think that 48 hrs. would be good. and yes, even at low quantities you must avoid anything with alchol. Vinegars, paintthinners (breathing fumes), cold products, sauces with alcohol, mouthwash, colognes etc. be very vigilant about checking every food and product you use for alcohol. signs of interactions are nausea, dizziness, light headedness, headache, etc. these symptoms will stay with you until all alcohol is out of your system. hope this helps...
Posted by katia on February 7, 2004, at 15:49:49
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » katia, posted by krazybirdlady on February 7, 2004, at 11:31:54
Hi,
Yes, 48 hours was enough. I had one glass of wine last night and felt no ill s/e from it. I'm just too scared of the stuff. I can't believe that pharamcist said what she said. "I don't drink so I don't know the quantities and what they mean". Can you believe that? I already knew from other sources to stay away from all forms of alcohol. I asked her about red wine sauces, cough medicine, deodorant and she said "small amounts probably won't hurt you". Man, if I got sick, she would definitely hear from me again.
For the moment, I'm off the Antabuse. It seems a bit unnecessary as I'm not really into drinking much anyway. It's just yet another knot I've tied myself into and got out of disenchanted.
Thanks-
katia
Posted by krazybirdlady on February 7, 2004, at 16:02:50
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » krazybirdlady, posted by katia on February 7, 2004, at 15:49:49
wow, are you sure that this was an actual pharmacist? could have been a tech..but either way, your questions should have been answered. this is inexcusable as the interaction with alcohol can actually be life threatening in some cases. yes, i agree with you that this is a very powerful drug, and one you should consider very carefully before you choose to take it long term. i am glad you decided against it in a way, because i have never heard of anyone having long term success with it...take care and stay strong..
Posted by katia on February 8, 2004, at 2:31:33
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » katia, posted by krazybirdlady on February 7, 2004, at 16:02:50
Hi,
What do you mean long term success? People stay on it long term nonsuccessfully or it just doesn't work in the long run.I imagine you are a large woman with long flowing skirts and hair with birds perched in it in a run down house with knick knacks from yesteryear figurenes and such and dust on the mantle - and you sit in a big chair giving sound advice to young ones. Is this true? Your name.....where did you come by it?
Katia
Posted by katia on February 8, 2004, at 2:36:46
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » katia, posted by krazybirdlady on February 7, 2004, at 16:02:50
You know those figurines with the young girl with the long flowing blue dress and bonnet and umbrella and her hand above head and one down by her side in a poised way....sitting with dust on your mantle along with tens of thousands of tea cups and saucers with plant shelves that are round and layered. Dusty old yellow lamp shades and an a/c attached to the wall. That to me is the krazybirdlady's house.
Posted by krazybirdlady on February 8, 2004, at 12:56:07
In reply to I meant figurines » krazybirdlady, posted by katia on February 8, 2004, at 2:36:46
hey katia...i meant it doesn't work in the long run. people usually give up on taking it. you have a wonderful imagination...i actually think what you were picturing was my grandmothers house. but i DO have a lot of figurines, picked up from years i spent abroad. but i'm kinda skinny and never wear flowing skirts. jeans and t-shirts. my name comes from the fact that i have many pet birds. also 2 grown kids and a hubby..LOL...i'm also a pharmacist..
Posted by katia on February 8, 2004, at 14:15:30
In reply to Re: I meant figurines » katia, posted by krazybirdlady on February 8, 2004, at 12:56:07
> hey katia...i meant it doesn't work in the long run. people usually give up on taking it. you have a wonderful imagination...i actually think what you were picturing was my grandmothers house. but i DO have a lot of figurines, picked up from years i spent abroad. but i'm kinda skinny and never wear flowing skirts. jeans and t-shirts. my name comes from the fact that i have many pet birds. also 2 grown kids and a hubby..LOL...i'm also a pharmacist..
**Hi krazybirklady,
OK! You're a pharmacist. I came to the right person then! Yes, I was hoping I didn't offend you! I'm glad you were ok with my imagination! It sometimes can go on its own course.
I feel so much better not on Antabuse. It's too scary. I only have a glass of wine now and stop. Probably out of fear.
What countries are your figurines from?
Katia
Posted by krazybirdlady on February 8, 2004, at 19:51:55
In reply to Re: I meant figurines » krazybirdlady, posted by katia on February 8, 2004, at 14:15:30
hey katia...yes antabuse is a very scary drug. not only because it is so powerful but also because you must be very careful with every product you use with it.
your wonderful imagination didn't offend me at all, as a matter of fact i think it would be very comforting if i aged that way. and the part about the birds in my hair was true..lol..
my figurines come from britain (royal daulton) and germany (pendalfin bunnykins) to name a few. but i have many from all over europe. lived in germany for 4 yrs. when i was in my 20's.
i am glad to hear that you are doing so well. please remain so and stay strong...
Posted by katia on February 9, 2004, at 2:47:58
In reply to Re: I meant figurines » katia, posted by krazybirdlady on February 8, 2004, at 19:51:55
my figurines come from britain (royal daulton) and germany (pendalfin bunnykins) to name a few. but i have many from all over europe. lived in germany for 4 yrs. when i was in my 20's.
HIya,
I love the names!!!! they are so representative of the country!!!
pendalfin bunnykins?!! that's definitely my next pet name - bunnykins!
I love it!
thanks again and keep in touch!
Katia
Posted by KimberlyDi on February 10, 2004, at 12:36:08
In reply to Antabuse users, posted by katia on February 4, 2004, at 13:59:52
Top your list with lotions, shampoos, and makeup with alcohol in them. I forgot once and sprayed perfume on my wrist around Xmas time and spent the next 12 hours unable to move without losing my lunch and my head was in agony. I suppose it served it's purpose back then in my weaker years. The generic name is Disulfrum, or similar. i was only on 100mg. 62.50mg is still high enough to avoid perfumes and wine sauces. You can still end up with a killer headache.
> Anyone out there on antabuse?
> What's your experience been like?
> I got 250mg tablets to take once a day. i quartered them all and I take that per day so as to make them last four months (it's expensive) and I don't want any side effects. At that dose, do you know if I have to stay away from red wine sauces, perfumes with alcohol, etc.? The pharmacists didn't have a clue.
> thanks-
> katia
Posted by KimberlyDi on February 10, 2004, at 12:38:19
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » twainesworld, posted by katia on February 6, 2004, at 20:18:09
They say 2 weeks. I found I could after 1 week but never pushed it. Boost up you Vitamin C before trying. Ascerbic acid is like the antidote to Antabuse.
Hi,
> I took 1/4 of a pill for two nights and stopped. 36 hours ago was my last one (and second one!).
> Do you know how long it stays in the system?
> I feel like a glass of vino!
> I'm in the process of buying a house and it's not a good time to try and do both!
> thanks for your response!
> Katia
Posted by katia on February 10, 2004, at 13:54:13
In reply to Re: Antabuse users, posted by KimberlyDi on February 10, 2004, at 12:38:19
thanks Kimberly,
I actually went off of it. It paradoxically feels safer to me off of it.
katia
Posted by Tony P on February 19, 2004, at 17:56:57
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » KimberlyDi, posted by katia on February 10, 2004, at 13:54:13
I was on antabuse years ago. It was essentially useless to me - if I wanted to drink I would just stop taking it, and 48 hrs was enough to reduce the effects to close to nil. I even drank while on antabuse and the heck with the nasty effects - I was a pretty committed drinker in those days!
It also had sexual dysfunction & other side effects for me.
I think it has some limited use (like wearing a belt AND suspenders) for someone who is really committed to complete abstinence and is doing other things to maintain sobriety. But I wouldn't use it again.
There is/used to be another med with similar but longer-lasting effects - can't quite remember the name - calcimide? Anyone know?
Tony
Posted by krazybirdlady on February 20, 2004, at 8:36:35
In reply to Re: Antabuse users, posted by Tony P on February 19, 2004, at 17:56:57
hi tony...could you have been thinking of acamprosate? this drug has been shown in clinical studies to assist in curbing the urge to drink. i believe it is still in trial in the US. as far as i know, it hasn't been FDA approved yet, but should be soon. the only other drug that i've heard of for alcohol addiction is naltrexone, which prevents the alcohol buzz. other than certain anti-convulsants and AD's these are the only other ones that come to mind for me.
Posted by Tony P on February 20, 2004, at 21:57:24
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » Tony P, posted by krazybirdlady on February 20, 2004, at 8:36:35
> hi tony...could you have been thinking of acamprosate? this drug has been shown in clinical studies to assist in curbing the urge to drink. i believe it is still in trial in the US. as far as i know, it hasn't been FDA approved yet, but should be soon. the only other drug that i've heard of for alcohol addiction is naltrexone, which prevents the alcohol buzz. other than certain anti-convulsants and AD's these are the only other ones that come to mind for me.
------------
No -- this was a LONG time ago! Found it in an old Merck index, it went by the names carbimide, Dipsan, Abstem, & Temposil. The latter may still be available. But I see I was wrong about the duration -- the half-life is listed as only 1.5 hours!Tony
Posted by sixmum on May 25, 2004, at 15:23:05
In reply to Re: Antabuse users » katia, posted by KimberlyDi on February 10, 2004, at 12:36:08
My husband is using antabuse and I wondered if anyone had a list of stuff with alcohol in, I've started a list. If anyone could tell me, even an odd item, it would be very useful.
Do you realise that vinegar has traces of alcohol in, and a lot of bread makers use vinegar, so please be careful.
This is the end of the thread.
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