Antabuse for Alcohol Use Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Beach...
• August 30, 2016

"I started taking Antabuse to try and short circuit my inability to resist picking up at the drop of a hat.I now had to wait two weeks and ,more often than not, would decide, not to drink after all. So , for me, its been effective. Reading these reviews, I've learned a lot about side effects, that I never would have connected to my taking Antabuse I never knew that Antabuse had any sexual side effects, until now.This is a concern to me. Drowsiness, tiredness, tingling in my feet, are further side effects. These reviews have been very educating. My five years on Antabuse are over, for sure."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

"I was sick of being apart of the mommie needs vodka groups, wine ‘o’clock etc.. Right before my eyes I was having a glass or 4 of wine for literally no reason. No occasion to celebrate, nothing to cheers. All of a sudden drinking became part of everything. I have kids and I didn’t want alcohol to creep it’s way into my family. As I was starting to see it was becoming a problem. I didn’t drink everyday but I wanted something to help stop cold turkey. 500mg is intense. May be too strong for me as I had lots of stomach issues and gained a few pounds which I was not happy about. Super drowsy and tired. I went down to 250mg for a few more months. It’s great for a sudden stop Althopugh this can be dangerous depending how much you drink so please discuss with your doctor. Cruising well in to 4 months and it has totally changed my life. It helps you see life with out it. Almost makes you wonder you drank as much as you did. Transitioning off now though as I find it hard on my system. Wow though really good to snap you in line though."

• Phil
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2020

"I tried antabuse 15 yrs ago and unfortunately whilst I was abstinent for 9 mths I had a stroke due to it. However I am finally alcohol free for 5 years due to the hard work of my local mental health team and cgl drug and alcohol service and now indeed work for them helping people beat the drink just like myself so never give up trying."

• NoneS...
• February 27, 2021

"After taking it for about 2 weeks I tried a 50 ml (airline bottle) of Jack Daniels. I thought I was going to die. It may not work after a single dose but once it builds up in your system the effects can feel really bad. As far as side effects. I found serious digestive issues every time I took it in the morning - even after food. Taking it before bed solved the side effects for me. If you are having side effects you might try taking it with food (or not) and at different times of day."

• Suzan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2023

"I think its a great medication! The only side effects I've had are very slight drowsiness which I like because I have insomnia anyway and a funny taste in my mouth. Personally I am having to make my husband watch me take it each night though so I dont skip out on taking it! It's best to have someone keep you accountable for taking it! Overall it is a wonderful med & I dont see why it isn't utilized by more people!"

• battl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2020

"Antabuse works well for me and my alcohol issues, I tried drinking while taking this and I did indeed get sick. However, like others have noted, I get very lethargic after a few weeks - I can’t exercise and I tire very easily. So, I can’t stay on it for very long. Note: Every account I have heard of people being able to drink while on disulfiram so far has been second-hand, always a significant other and never from the person who was actually taking it. This should give most people a big clue that these folks on disulfiram were not actually ingesting the drug."

• Jeezuz
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2019

"I have been on the Antabuse medication from 28/08/2019 I only take 100mg everyday 2 days. It works for me as I am absolutely terrified of the effects that it has. I was on this year's ago on 200mg a day and I decided to try a bottle of wine and see what it does. Well I thought I was dying. Head pounding, heart racing. Full red body rash. Vomiting uncontrollably. This medication works. Even though I am only on 100mg every 2 days. I am too scared to drink. But the craving for alcohol does not go away, as my partner drinks every night when comes home from work 4-5 bourbon and coke. I feel I am spinning in my own world, when he tells me I am the alcoholic."

• Miche...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2021

"I have been taking Antabuse on and off for about a year now. Off because my addiction 4 is powerful and I would mentally relapse before actually doing so. I was originally on 250mg. I would only get a mild to somewhat severe rash which could be subsided with anti-histamine. And most recently even after two weeks of consistent 250mg I drank…and nothing. No rash, no vomiting (never did). Absolutely no reaction. I opened a new bottle. Took it for a week then drank. Again, nothing. This concerned me a lot bc I wanted that violent reaction. I recently went up to 500mg. I have been taking that for a week. No reaction to hand sanitizer or even rubbing alcohol. I took a shot of vodka to “test” it. Nothing. I felt a buzz and my lips and ears tingled. That was it. I am terrified. My psychiatrist is of course skeptical that I’ve been taking it because she has never heard of it not working. Especially originally having some side effects and then just none. I am being 100% honest."

• Amoryx
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 6, 2022

"I was first prescribed antabuse (125mg per day) and I was less than thrilled about it because I liked to drink beer. For about a year I took it and lost between 50 and 100lbs. It was glorious. It did coincide with some minimal dieting and fasting but not for the whole year. I've always had a stupid slow metabolism so I thought "Yay, my metabolism is finally functioning." Should've known better. It was the antabuse. I gained everything back when they took me off it. Just got back on it today. If you have it and you've lost some weight. Stay on it and don't drink. Also, you might be surprised how much of what you buy has alcohol in it. Make sure you buy the right zquil/nyquil lol and get powdered vanilla extract. Worked great with slimfast and liquid dieting. Good luck :)"

• funct...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2020

"I asked my dr for antabuse myself. I drank half a bottle of whisky every evening (and up to 1 bottle in the WE) with no hangover symptoms at all, nor stomach or other problems (that I know of anyway). I started taking antabuse immediately after getting it, the first 3 days 400mg (start dose) and after that 200 mg daily. During the weekend I used deodorant and skin disinfectant containing alcohol to check the effect but nothing happened. Now I started drinking again, 2 whiskies daily at the moment, only 15 min. after taking 200 mg of disulfiram but still no effect at all. I really hoped that the disulfiram would keep me away from alcohol. Any users with 1st hand experience that have the same problem? It really baffles me that some can't even use hand disinfectant without getting a head ache and I can just keep on drinking. Just FYI: I'm not proud that my liver doesn't seem to respond to disulfiram, I'm past the stage (and age) that I thought this might be a cool thing."

• Sad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2019

"My husband started off taking 250 mg of antabuse. He found he could still drink one or two beers. His doctor just raised his dose to 500mg and he had at least one beer today. I am giving him the pills and checking to make sure he has swallowed it. I was really hoping this would help but, I believe it has little to no effect on him...Will start researching Naltrexone and acamprosate for alcohol dependence."

• Deb
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2021

"I have been drinking for 48 yrs. Been to countless rehabs and psychiatric units attempting to quit. I have attempted suicide while under the influence several times, once ending up on a ventilator. I lost everything from drinking, Even a professional license that I worked very hard to get. But that didn’t stop me. I’ve had 4 DUIs and was told by judge if I drove drunk again And killed someone I would go to jail for life. That didn’t stop me. I’ve been to countless AA meetings, self help groups and retreats that didn’t stop my drinking. The only thing that has helped me completely stop and not even have a desire for it is Antabuse. It has saved my life, given me hope. I took it once before and drank on it and ended up calling 911 and going to hospital. I wasn’t ready then but I am now. I thank God I have this drug. Just do NOT drink on it. U will be very sorry if u do."

• Evee
• August 17, 2020

"Hi after tapering down with librium I then went on to antabuse 200mg. One evening I drank some wine and was actually hoping to get a reaction, nothing happened at all. My doctor has put me on 400mg now, and I really hope it works I am so desperate to stop my 2 bottle of wine a night habit."

• Sleepy
• July 16, 2022

"Have been taking Antabuse for 14 days now and side effects hit me on day 6. Incredibly tired all of the time. Can feel a tenderness or tiredness behind my eyes. Feel like sleeping all day. Went from doing a walk, swim and yoga each day once I was sober to barely being able to get out of bed and walk the dog. I am also forgetting things and living as though nothing seems important or clear anymore. I am only on 100mg each day and was going to wait for another week to see if the side effects would wear off but feel as though my quality of life is worse than when I was drinking and I am becoming depressed which even when I was drinking I would have never described myself as. I thought this drug would be my holy grail of recovery after five rehabs so I am very disappointed. But this is no way to live. I want my motivation and spirit back! Not drinking out of fear but motivation might do the same."

• Polly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

"I am a moderate functioning alcoholic and have now been on Antabuse for six weeks. This is the second time I have taken it. It works great for me but again I have to stop because of side effects. Headaches (worst of my life), nausea, lightheadedness and feeling bone-tired. These get worse the longer I am on it. Maybe I produce enough alcohol in my digestive tract to cause problems. I have read that this is a thing, though I don´t know if it's true."

• joesh...
• November 27, 2020

"I have been drinking heavily for the past 10 years. Almost a bottle of Rum everyday starting from the time I get up till I sleep. Also woke up in the middle of the night and drank again. This completely ruined my personal and professional life. Been through detox and rehab thrice already. First time I took antabuse and drank on it, I threw up like crazy. Then slowly I started faking taking it and back to drinking. This time started antabuse and also naltraxone. This is my second day of being sober. I did drink on antabuse this time and except for a a very weird feeling in my stomach, it did not do anything. May be my liver is beyond a point of responding to the drug. Long story short, combination of Naltraxone and Antabuse seem to be working for me so far. I have a full bottle of Bacardi Rum but I don't want to (rather don't have a big urge to drink). If you are really motivated, talk to your doctor about being on both these drugs."

• Kenya...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2021

"There are times in my past I couldn't step out of the house without picking up a drink, you can get a 1/4 of vodka for less than 2 dollars here and I'd chug down up to two of those with water whenever I'd see a liquor store. Alcohol has cost me relationships, jobs, my sanity and my reputation. I am 5 days clean with the help of Antabuse and 2 years ago it got me to 6 months. There is hope for me despite all the trauma and shame that has come from drinking. I can decide to stay sober.... even when I'm stressed or tempted. I can pursue my dreams. The trick is, I cant stop taking it. For now, I'm prepared to take it for the rest of my life. Bought myself a red bracelet in hope that I never forget that I'm taking it. Going to tag a note to identity card just incase."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2021

"Hi. I have tried antabuse many times over the years and certainly when on it, it has kept me sober. However I don't think I can take it again as the side effects for me are just too bad. I came here to see if anyone else is getting severe side effects. Almost immediately after taking it I become very strange. Exhausted, severe confusion, huge memory problems (as if nothing is real) and also some type of mania. Last night I felt so strange and anxious I actually drank three days after my last dose as I thought I was losing my mind. Very sad as I know without the side effects it would absolutely be the answer to me destroying my life. I would love to know if anyone else has these side effects."

• Dudeman
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 22, 2023

"I was able to drink on it with minimal side effects. I stopped taking it. Went to AA 12.5 years ago and have been going since albeit less frequently. I haven’t had a single drink since. Swear by the AA concept of group recovery."

• NEA
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2024

"Antabuse is good, but it has its limitations. The first two weeks I started taking it, I did not drink at all and felt great. This is not the first time I try this medication. I am now drinking again while taking Antabuse, but not to the same extent as before (all-day drinking). Of course, a couple of drinks at lunch and 3 or 4 drinks at dinner. For me, it works in two ways: I get a really bad skin rash when I drink (which is visible not only to me but also to everyone around me) and get extremely tired while drinking. I hide when drinking as my friends know I am trying to quit; it is clearly a deterrent but not the perfect solution. If you feel like drinking and are taking Antabuse, you can, but will suffer 'minor' discomfort. I am going to continue taking it but also buying books about alcoholism that I hope will give me even more willpower to cut down on alcohol. My main goal is not to give up completely but to become a social drinker and stop being an alcoholic."

• beerjet
• July 3, 2015

"Had a drink while on Antabuse. Felt nauseous, heartbeats increased, bloodshot eyes, headache. Never drank when taking again."

• Spud
• December 28, 2019

"I been on Antabuse for 12 years , it sure works I will not be without it."

• thepl...
• May 3, 2008

"After 6 months of counselling this was offered to me, I have never wanted to stop drinking, just stop the binges. this drug has worked brilliantly"

• bluuuuu
• October 1, 2015

"have not ingested alcohol while on anabuse"

• Moano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2019

"30 hours after taking it, It 100% it works for alcohol issues, high BP, HR-125 sitting still, nausea, flushed, this works better than withdrawals as a deterrent man this sucks"