What Disulfiram is?
Disulfiram
is used in alcohol-dependent patients. Disulfiram blocks an enzyme that is
involved in metabolizing alcohol, it keeps you from drinking because of the
unpleasant side effects that would occur if you consume any amount of alcohol
while having Disulfiram implants. DISULFIRAM IS NOT A CURE. It should be used
together with behaviour modification, psychotherapy, and counselling support.
Implanting Disulfiram must be done with the consent of the patient and under
medical care.
Where to get the
treatment?-Gdansk–
How Does it work?
The most
important thing while using Disulfiram – do not to drink alcohol. Disulfiram
works by inhibiting the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which means many of
the effects of “hangover” are felt immediately after alcohol is consumed. Some
5 to 10 minutes after alcohol intake, the patient may experience the effect of
severe “hangover” that may last from 30 min to several hours. Symptoms may
include flushing of the skin, accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath,
vomiting, nausea, throbbing headache, mental confusion and circulatory
collapse. In case of drinking alcohol while having a Disulfiram implant SEEK
EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION immediately.
Wear a
medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take Disulfiram. Any
medical care provider who treats you should know that you are using Disulfiram.
What should I know before getting a Disulfiram implant?
Disulfiram
cannot be used without the written consent of the patient. The patient has to
be informed about the potential side effects before the treatment. The
patient’s ID is required for signing the written consent. The whole procedure
takes up to 10-15 min. Afterwards, the patient is ready for treatment.
YOU MUST
NOT DRINK ALCOHOL 48 TO 24 HOURS BEFORE THE
TREATMENT.
You should not use
Disulfiram if you are allergic to it, or if:
you have
recently taken metronidazole or paraldehyde; or
you have
consumed any foods or products that contain alcohol (mouthwash, cooking wine, cough
medicine, vinegar, some desserts etc.)
Contraindications:
drinking
alcohol less than 24h before treatment,
pregnancy
and breast-feeding,
taking
phenytoin, tuberculosis medicine or a blood thinner,
cardiac
insufficiency,
circulatory
insufficiency,
history
of heart attack and ischemic heart disease,
inflammation
of the arteries,
high
blood pressure,
optic
neuritis,
past
suicide attempts,
psychosis.
You should also
inform your surgeon if you:
have a
personality disorder
have
brain damage or have had a head injury
have
epilepsy
have had
a stroke
have
hypothyroidism
have
lung problems
have
liver problems
have a
history of mental illness
What should I expect
during the treatment?
The
treatment takes place in our Medical Centre in Gdansk. The Disulfiram tablets
are inserted under the patient’s skin, in the buttocks area. The surgeon cuts 5
to 10 mm of the skin and inserts the tablets into the muscle at the depth of
6-7cm. The amount of tablets depends on the patient’s weight, it means 1 tablet
for every 10 kg in most cases. The procedure is performed under local
anaesthesia.
The whole treatment
takes about 15 min.
Feel free to use New
Start Rehab services