title: Disulfiram treatment of patients with both alcohol dependence and other psychiatric disorders: a review.
abstract: In treatment of alcohol dependence, disulfiram is most useful in conjunction with a structured, supervised, aftercare program. However, it has been reported to cause psychiatric side effects and to interact with various psychiatric medications. Many patients with alcohol dependence suffer from other psychiatric disorders and are treated with such psychiatric medications. This paper reviews the pertinent clinical pharmacology of disulfiram and the literature on potential psychiatric complications and drug interactions of disulfiram. At the usual dosage, about 250 mg/day, disulfiram does not appear to increase significantly the risk of psychiatric complications or of psychiatric drug interactions. Therefore, it can be considered a treatment option for patients with alcohol dependence and other psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Section of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Olincy
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Rummans
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Morse
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D004221:Disulfiram