Disulfiram-cotrimoxazole reaction.
The disulfiram-ethanol reaction is a well-known clinical phenomenon occurring as a result of acetaldehyde accumulation in the blood. Symptoms usually begin within 5-15 minutes after ingestion of ethanol in patients who have taken disulfiram 3-123 hours earlier, and generally occur in the following order: flushing, sweating, palpitations, dyspnea, hyperventilation, increased pulse rate, fall in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Patients need not experience all these symptoms, and recovery is generally complete. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole) is a commonly prescribed antimicrobial agent that may produce a reaction similar to that of disulfiram when taken by patients who drink ethanol. This drug-chemical interaction may result in accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood.
Department of Pharmacy, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA.
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D000328:Adult; D000427:Alcohol Deterrents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000427:Alcohol Deterrents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000431:Ethanol; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D004221:Disulfiram