Esperal 250mg
| SKU | 335 |
|---|---|
| Generic For | Antabuse |
| Strength | 250mg |
| Manufacturer | Torent Pharma |
| Active Ingredient | Disulfiram | Expiry |
| Pack Size | Qty | Price Per Pill or Unit | Price | Cart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Tablet/s | US$ 0.14 | US$ 4.29 | |||
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| 60 Tablet/s | US$ 0.14 | US$ 8.58 | |||
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| 90 Tablet/s | US$ 0.14 | US$ 12.87 | |||
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Esperal 250mg (Disulfiram) – Affordable Antabuse Alternative
Esperal 250mg is a drug used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism. It helps in keeping the person away from drinking alcohol by causing unpleasant adverse events that will occur if a person takes alcohol while consuming Esperal. It is used along with the counselling support to help a person to stop drinking alcohol. The active ingredient contained in the Esperal 250 mg tablet is Disulfiram.
What is Esperal 250mg used for?
Esperal 250 mg is used in the treatment of deep-rooted alcoholism. It is used together with counselling, support and psychotherapy to treat alcohol use disorder. The drug is not as a cure for the disorder. Chronic alcoholism is used as a broad term for any alcohol intake that result in problems. Disulfiram produces an acute sensitivity to ethanol (alcohol).
How does Esperal work?
Esperal tablets are used for the treatment of chronic alcoholism and these tablets are available on our website.
How should Esperal be taken?
Esperal comes in the tablet form. The usual dose of the drug is one tablet in a day. It should be taken with or without a meal or as recommended by the physician.
You can either swallow or crush the tablet of Esperal and mix into the water, tea or juice. Mix it well, once it gets dissolved drink the whole water or liquid.
Try not to change the doses of the drug. Follow the doctor’s advice.
- Overdose: The overdose of the drug may cause adverse effects like dizziness, seizures, vomiting, numbness, nausea and loss of coordination.
Do not discontinue the treatment unless your physician asks doing. Take the tablet until the entire amount of the Esperal tablet is finished.
Missed dose of Esperal:
Do not miss the dose of Esperal. In case you miss, take it when you remember but do not double up the dose to recompense the previous one. You can also talk you or physician if you got too late in taking the tablet.
What medications interact with Esperal?
Inform the physician or pharmacist about the medicines that are given below:
- Isocarboxazid
- Lithium
- Blood thinners
- Theophylline
- Doxepin
- Phenelzine
- Imipramine
- Isoniazid
- Chlordiazepoxide
- Clorazepate
- Metronidazole
- Phenytoin
- Amitriptyline
Inform your doctor about the other medicines you are taking as Esperal can negatively interact with them and cause adverse effects. Visit the physician in above health conditions.
When should Esperal not be used?
While taking Esperal always remembers the following things:
- Avoid taking the drug if you are allergic to it or its components.
- Inform the doctor, if you have ever had heart diseases.
- Before taking the drug, tell you, physician, if you have a background of diabetes, liver disorder, overactive thyroid or brain disease.
- Avoid taking the alcoholic products like sauces, cough syrups, aftershave, vinegar, mouthwash, etc. Do not consume any alcohol while taking the medicine as it may cause vision problem, pounding heartbeat, throbbing headache and breathing problem.
How should Esperal be stored?
- Avoid using expired medicines.
- Keep the medicine at a room temperature. It should be kept away from the moisture and heat.
- Try to keep the records of all your medications.
- Try to follow the same dosage plan, do not change it.
- Follow your doctor’s advice, in case of any diet or activity restriction.
- Do not share the drug with anybody even if they have the same signs.
What are Side effects of Esperal 250mg?
Some common adverse events of the drug are given below:
- Acne
- Garlic-like taste in the mouth
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Tired feeling
Some serious adverse events of the drug are given below:
- Muscular weakness
- Seizures
- Liver disorder
- Stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Swollen face, tongue and lips
- Behaviour changes
- Change in the vision
- Tingling in the legs and arms
- Itching
- Loss of interest in sex
- Rash
Inform your physician in above health conditions. If you observe side effects other than these; immediately visit your doctor.
What is Esperal 250mg used for?
Esperal 250mg contains disulfiram 250mg — an alcohol deterrent medication for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Disulfiram creates a severe unpleasant physical reaction if alcohol is consumed — the disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER) — thereby deterring drinking through aversion conditioning. It is used in patients who have already achieved sobriety and are motivated to maintain abstinence with pharmacological support. Disulfiram blocks aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) — an enzyme essential for alcohol metabolism — causing toxic acetaldehyde accumulation in the body when alcohol is consumed. Unlike acamprosate or naltrexone (which reduce craving), disulfiram works purely as an aversive deterrent — it is most effective when supervised administration is used (e.g., taken under observation of a family member or healthcare worker).
What is the disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER)?
The disulfiram-ethanol reaction occurs when alcohol is consumed by a patient taking disulfiram: within 10–30 minutes, rising acetaldehyde levels cause: flushing (intense red skin — face, neck, arms); throbbing headache; nausea and vomiting; rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and palpitations; hypotension (low blood pressure and dizziness); sweating; chest pain; shortness of breath; blurred vision; and extreme discomfort. The reaction typically lasts 30 minutes to several hours depending on alcohol amount consumed. Severe reactions can cause: profound hypotension, cardiovascular collapse, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, respiratory depression, seizures, and rarely death. Reaction severity is directly proportional to both the amount of disulfiram taken and the amount of alcohol consumed. Even small amounts of alcohol (in mouthwash, cough syrups, vinegar-based foods) can trigger a reaction.
What alcohol-containing products must be avoided while taking Esperal 250mg?
Absolute avoidance while on disulfiram — all alcohol-containing sources: (1) all alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, spirits, alcopops); (2) topical products with alcohol (some hand sanitisers, cologne, aftershave, perfume — absorbed through skin to a small degree); (3) certain mouthwashes (containing ethanol); (4) some cough syrups and liquid medications with ethanol base — check all liquid medicines; (5) cooking with alcohol (wine sauces, flambeed dishes — even cooked-off alcohol may be sufficient to trigger a mild reaction); (6) fermented foods — vinegar (acetic acid, not ethanol — safe); kombucha (may contain small amounts of ethanol); soy sauce; certain breads. Read all product labels carefully. The DER can occur up to 14 days after stopping disulfiram — continue avoidance for 2 weeks after the last dose.
What drug interactions apply to Esperal 250mg?
Disulfiram inhibits multiple enzymes — drug interactions are significant. Metronidazole: contraindicated — causes acute psychotic reaction and confusion (CNS toxicity). Tinidazole, ornidazole: same as metronidazole — avoid. Warfarin: disulfiram inhibits warfarin metabolism (CYP2C9) — INR rises significantly; reduce warfarin dose and monitor INR closely. Phenytoin: disulfiram inhibits phenytoin metabolism — elevated phenytoin levels and toxicity risk; monitor levels and reduce phenytoin dose. Isoniazid (INH): increased CNS side effects (ataxia, psychiatric symptoms) — monitor closely. Benzodiazepines (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide): elevated sedative levels — reduce dose. Amitriptyline and other TCAs: increased levels — cardiac side effects. Rifampicin: increases disulfiram metabolism — reduced efficacy. Cocaine: increased cardiovascular side effects. Theophylline: elevated levels. Comprehensive medication review is mandatory before starting disulfiram.
Who is Esperal 250mg not suitable for?
Disulfiram is contraindicated or requires extreme caution in: patients with significant cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, heart failure, history of MI) — the DER can trigger serious cardiac events; severe hepatic impairment (liver cirrhosis) — reduced disulfiram metabolism increases toxicity; psychosis (current or history of) — disulfiram can worsen or precipitate psychosis; patients taking metronidazole or tinidazole (contraindicated combination); pregnancy (Category C — potential fetal risk, alcohol avoidance essential in pregnancy from other reasons); patients with peripheral neuropathy — disulfiram can worsen neuropathy. Also unsuitable: patients not fully informed and consenting to the DER; patients currently intoxicated; patients with hypersensitivity to disulfiram or rubber compounds (cross-reactivity). Supervised administration and full informed consent are essential.
Is Esperal 250mg equivalent to Antabuse 250mg?
Yes. Esperal 250mg and branded Antabuse 250mg both contain disulfiram 250mg in equivalent tablet formulations. Esperal is the generic alternative providing the same alcohol deterrent pharmacotherapy at significantly lower cost. PremiumRxDrugs.com stocks authentic manufacturer-sourced Esperal 250mg verified for quality and bioequivalence.
Can I order Esperal 250mg from PremiumRxDrugs for international delivery?
Yes. PremiumRxDrugs.com ships Esperal 250mg to the USA, UK, Australia, and many other countries. Our genuine manufacturer-verified disulfiram tablets, competitive pricing, and free worldwide shipping on qualifying orders make us a reliable international pharmacy for alcohol use disorder treatment.
What side effects does Esperal 250mg cause without alcohol?
Without alcohol consumption, disulfiram side effects are generally mild: drowsiness or fatigue (common — takes at least 2 weeks to resolve as body adapts); acneiform skin rash; garlic-like or metallic aftertaste; headache during the first 2 weeks; mild GI discomfort. Less common: peripheral neuropathy with prolonged use (particularly at higher doses — monitor for numbness, tingling in hands/feet); optic neuritis (very rare — visual symptoms require immediate ophthalmology review); hepatotoxicity — disulfiram can cause liver inflammation (range from asymptomatic enzyme elevation to fulminant hepatic failure in rare cases); LFT monitoring is recommended. Psychiatric: low-grade depression (common AUD comorbidity, not always disulfiram-related); rare precipitation of psychosis. Baseline and periodic LFTs are recommended during therapy.
How should Esperal 250mg be started and supervised for best outcomes?
For optimal disulfiram outcomes: (1) patient must be fully alcohol-free for at least 24 hours (ideally 48 hours) before starting — starting during intoxication is dangerous; (2) full informed consent about the DER, all alcohol sources to avoid, and medical consequences of drinking is mandatory; (3) start at 500mg daily for 1–2 weeks, then reduce to maintenance dose of 250mg daily; (4) supervised administration significantly improves outcomes — a partner, family member, or healthcare worker observes daily tablet-taking, which addresses the core problem of impulsive stopping when craving to drink is high; (5) carry a medical information card stating disulfiram use (for emergency medical teams who need to treat alcohol-related emergencies carefully); (6) combine with psychosocial support — disulfiram without counselling has poor long-term outcomes.
What should be done if alcohol is accidentally consumed while on Esperal 250mg?
If alcohol is accidentally ingested while taking disulfiram: (1) remain calm — sit or lie down; (2) do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical staff; (3) call emergency services (999/911) or go to the nearest emergency department immediately if severe symptoms develop (chest pain, difficulty breathing, collapse, loss of consciousness, severe vomiting); (4) inform medical staff that you are taking disulfiram — treatment for severe DER includes oxygen, IV fluid resuscitation, vitamin C (which speeds acetaldehyde clearance), and antihistamines; pressors (vasopressors) may be needed for severe hypotension; (5) for mild reactions (flushing, headache, nausea) without cardiovascular symptoms, medical observation is still recommended. Carry a disulfiram medical alert card or bracelet for emergency situations. Never restart disulfiram within 24–48 hours of any alcohol consumption.
How long should Esperal 250mg be taken for alcohol use disorder?
Disulfiram treatment duration is individualised — typically minimum 1 year; many patients benefit from longer treatment (2–3 years) during the most vulnerable period of AUD recovery. Long-term outcomes: disulfiram is most effective when used as a psychological 'external control' while patients build internal coping strategies through therapy and support groups. After 1–2 years of maintained sobriety: reassess with the treating clinician whether continued disulfiram is needed or whether sufficient coping skills, social support, and motivational strengthening allow successful continued abstinence without medication. Stopping disulfiram: taper is not required (simply stopping is acceptable); alcohol avoidance must continue for at least 14 days after the last tablet (residual enzyme inhibition). Liver function tests should be checked periodically throughout treatment.
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