Can I give Disulfiram to my father who is an alcohol addict?

Question

Hello doctor,

My 45-year-old father is an alcohol addict. His weight is 80 kg, and his height is 175 cm. He has been consuming alcohol for the last two to three years. As a result, he has got behavioral changes, red eyes, and he always feels tired. I have found two medicines Disulfiram and Sulfur 200. Will you recommend I go for it, or should I give some other medication? Please guide me.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your problem and situation. It is really hard for a family member to deal with this problem. Your father needs to get admission to a rehabilitation center or hospital under a psychiatrist for alcohol use disorder. You must not give any medication without informing your father. Disulfiram is a drug given to a patient who is highly motivated to leave his alcohol. If the patient is taking Disulfiram and consume alcohol on it, then it may lead to a various reaction like itching, perspiration, seizure, heart attack, and even death of the patient. So legally, if the patient takes Disulfiram, then legal written consent is taken about its side effect and death responsibility.

Please, you cannot de-addict anyone until the patient is ready for de-addiction. There is no medication in the world that will de-addict a patient without informing the patient. When the patient is actively involved in treatment, then and only de-addiction is possible.

So You must take your father to any nearest psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will start medication as per your father's alcohol intake and withdrawal symptoms. I hope this was helpful.