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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Alcohol Intake Safe While Taking Antibuse?

Hi,, My wife was prescribed Antibuse,, 50 years old,, drinking for years,,, dose of 250MG daily,, its been a week now, and she gets beet red all of a sudden,,, today she vomited,, had palpitations, and redness,,, symptoms pass in an hour or so,,, she insists she didnt drink,, and of course I dont believe her,, it seems her sensitivity to alcohol is increasing,,,, My question is, are there any damaging effects from drinking while taking antibuse?,, she wants to continue it,, as do i,, hopefully in the near future she wont be able to tolerate any alcohol,,, or will she kill herself first?
Fri, 14 Feb 2014
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Addiction Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

If people who are on Antabuse drink alcohol, an interaction occurs between alcohol and Antabuse, which in mild cases is manifested as flushing, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia etc. If a larger amount of alcohol is taken, a severe interaction occurs which may require intensive care treatment and may even be fatal. So it is not safe for her to be drinking alcohol when on Antabuse.

Best wishes.
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Is Alcohol Intake Safe While Taking Antibuse?

Hi, If people who are on Antabuse drink alcohol, an interaction occurs between alcohol and Antabuse, which in mild cases is manifested as flushing, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia etc. If a larger amount of alcohol is taken, a severe interaction occurs which may require intensive care treatment and may even be fatal. So it is not safe for her to be drinking alcohol when on Antabuse. Best wishes.