Refractive hypotension in a patient with disulfiram-ethanol reaction.

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Ho MP, Yo CH, Liu CM, Chen CL, Lee CC

Refractive hypotension in a patient with disulfiram-ethanol reaction.

Am J Med Sci. 2007 Jan;333(1):53-5.

PubMed ID

17220694 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Disulfiram (Antabuse) is used for aversive treatment of alcohol dependence with good effects. Through inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase, disulfiram heightens serum aldehyde concentration after alcohol ingestion and causes aversive disulfiram-ethanol reaction. Typical symptoms of this reaction include flushing, nausea, dyspnea, tremor, and confusion, which are usually self-limiting. However, severe life-threatening arterial hypotension sometimes develops. We report here a patient with generalized flushing, tremor, and refractive hypotension after ingestion of alcohol 18 hours after disulfiram treatment. Initial volume resuscitation and dopamine infusion failed to restore the blood pressure. Noradrenaline was given and the blood pressure returned to normal range. This case illustrates the intensity of disulfiram-ethanol reaction and underscores the advantageous use of noradrenaline in patients in such a critical condition.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Disulfiram	Aldehyde dehydrogenase, mitochondrial	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details