Definition of disulfiram in English:
disulfiram
noun dʌɪˈsʌlfɪramdīˈsəlfəˌram
mass nounMedicine A synthetic compound used in the treatment of alcoholics to make drinking alcohol produce unpleasant after-effects.
Alternative name: tetraethylthiuram sulphide; chemical formula: (C₂H₅)₂NCSSCN(C₂H₅)₂
Also called Antabuse (a trademark)
Example sentencesExamples
- Occasionally the modestly toxic disulfiram (Antabuse ®) is useful.
- Consuming alcohol after taking disulfiram results in symptoms such as palpitations, flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
- I inform my alcohol-dependent patients that disulfiram, at a nickel per pill, may be viewed as inexpensive.
- Outcomes of patients who take disulfiram are improved when the drug is taken under supervision.
- The rationale for disulfiram in treating alcoholism is that most alcoholics taking disulfiram will not drink for fear of getting sick.
Origin
1940s: blend of disulfide (see disulphide) and thiuram (from thio- + urea + amide).