Teturam® (Disulfiram)

The mechanism of action

Teturam is a specific medication for alcohol dependence treatment. The active ingredient - disulfiram - disrupts the metabolism of alcohol. Disulfiram - is an inhibitor of the enzyme acetaldegiddehydrogenase. Inhibiting this enzyme disulfiram causes a shutdown of disintegration process of ethanol to water and carbon dioxide in the step of acetaldehyde, which poisons the tissue. In humans, drinking alcohol during treatment with Teturam, accumulation of acetaldehyde causes an acute intoxication accompanied by painful negative feelings (nausea, flush of blood to the face, vomiting, tachycardia, malaise, low blood pressure). This reaction with alcohol during treatment with Disulfiram is called disulfiram-ethanol reaction. Use of the Teturam is focusing on creation the patient's reflex - disgust to the smell and taste of ethanol.

Contraindications

The drug is contraindicated in hypersensitivity to its components, severe renal failure, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, neuropsychiatric disorders, severe respiratory failure, epilepsy, severe hepatic insufficiency.
Prohibited the use of alcoholic beverages or use drugs containing ethanol, less than 24 hours before taking of Teturam.
During pregnancy the use of Teturam is contraindicated.
Breast-feeding is required to be stopped.
Teturam must not be used in children.

Precautions:

The treatment should be under medical supervision. Prior to initiating therapy  careful examination of the patient to identify absolute contraindications required