What are the drugs producing disulfiram like reactions?

Disulfiram is used in alcohol withdrawal therapy. It, when ingested, will act on the metabolic enzymes of alcohol metabolism. The two main enzymes involved are alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase.

                The action of the disulfiram can be illustrated by the following representation.

 During its action, the disulfiram causes certain withdrawal symptoms in the patients due to the accumulation of the Acetaldehyde. The symptoms include,

1. Flushing
2. Increased heartbeats
3. Nausea
4. Chest pain
5. Vertigo(giddiness)
6. Low BP

   

This is called the Disulfiram reaction.

The same type of symptoms appear in the administration of other drugs also,

Some important and most commonly used drugs that cause these symptoms are,

1. Metronidazole
2. Griseofulvin
3. Cefoperazone
4. Chlorpropamide
5. Sulfonylureas

It is important to know these drugs because the person who is using these drugs should not take alcohol during the course. As the alcohol may act with these drugs and evokes the above said reactions in the individual.