Increased sympathetic nervous system activity in alcoholic patients treated with disulfiram.
The authors measured plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), pulse rates, and blood pressures of 81 hospitalized alcoholic patients. Treatment with 500 mg/day of disulfiram (but not 250 mg/day or placebo) resulted in small but significant increases in plasma NE and in blood pressure. The 500-mg dose did not appreciably inhibit DBH. Patients receiving high doses of disulfiram should have their blood pressure monitored and their dose decreased to 250 mg/day when possible.
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D010919:Placebos; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*
D010919:Placebos; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase; D004221:Disulfiram; D009638:Norepinephrine