Investigations on the Disulfiram-Alcohol Reaction. Clinical Observations

Abstract

A survey is given of the clinical symptoms seen during the Antabuse (disulfiram)- alcohol reaction in 39 expts. on human subjects. Both objective changes and subjective complaints were registered. The most prominent symptoms were those involving the cardiovascular system (dilatation of the peripheral vessels and flushing, changes in blood pressure, pulse rate and ecg.), but also the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract were influenced. The degree of the reaction is subdivided into 5 groups from very light to severe and depends upon the quantity of disulfiram admn. The cause of symptoms such as hyperesthesia, paresthesia, and abdominal pain and their possible relation to changes in the K concn. in blood are discussed.