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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could Smoking While Using Antabuse Lower Its Effectiveness?

Hi Dr My husband is about to start Antabuse tablets to control his alcoholism, he also smokes a bit of pot to sleep, not a lot, but usually before bed. Is this contraindicated with taking antabuse tablets because he is reluctant to take them if he cant have a smoke before bed. He doesn't take any other medications or drugs.Thanks in advance.
Wed, 17 Dec 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

Antabuse is Disulfiram and the drug is used in chronic alcoholism to control alcohol use. The drug is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor and taking the drug with alcohol results in toxic reaction which is the reason for its use in alcoholism. Smoking pot or weed along with disulfiram is not advisable. Yes smoking can lower the effectiveness of disulfiram also though not much studies available for that. But there are many case reports which suggest that taking both these drugs together may precipitate acute mania like reaction. A lot of individuals using these both drugs together have risk of development of mania. I would not advise to take disulfiram with smoking pot.

Thanks, consult his psychiatrist for any more details.
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Could Smoking While Using Antabuse Lower Its Effectiveness?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM Antabuse is Disulfiram and the drug is used in chronic alcoholism to control alcohol use. The drug is an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor and taking the drug with alcohol results in toxic reaction which is the reason for its use in alcoholism. Smoking pot or weed along with disulfiram is not advisable. Yes smoking can lower the effectiveness of disulfiram also though not much studies available for that. But there are many case reports which suggest that taking both these drugs together may precipitate acute mania like reaction. A lot of individuals using these both drugs together have risk of development of mania. I would not advise to take disulfiram with smoking pot. Thanks, consult his psychiatrist for any more details.