Esperal

ABOUT ESPERAL?

- Esperal is a medicine that is used,  to prevent the recurrence of addiction alcohol.

- Disulfiram inhibits the enzyme involved in the metabolism of alcohol.

WHAT  DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE ESPERAL?

Do NOT take this medicine if you have:

• Serious liver disease,

• Serious kidney disease,

• Severe respiratory depression,

• Diabetes,

• Certain mental disorders,

• Cardiovascular disease,

• During the last 24 hours, you have been drinking alcohol or taking alcohol-containing medicines.

• TAKE A SPECIAL CARE WHEN TAKING ESPERAL:

  - The basic requirement is that you do not consume alcohol at all, even in very small quantities: you should avoid medication foods and prepared foods containing alcohol, as well as when using lotions after shaving and perfumes.

 - When taken with alcohol, this drug causes unpleasant and potentially dangerous disorders (so-called disulfiram

reaction): hot flushes, redness, nausea, vomiting, rapid heart rate, restlessness, and tension, as well as a drop in blood pressure.

 - Sudden fatigue, exhaustion or drowsiness.

 - Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice

• Disulfiram must not be taken with any of the drugs:

    · Metronidazole, ornidazole, secnidazole, tinidazole),

    · Antibiotics (isoniazid), as well as with anti-drug

    · Antiepileptics (phenytoin).

• PRECAUTIONS FOR THE USE OF ESPERAL:

• Taking Esperal with food or drinks

 - The basic requirement is that you do not consume alcohol at all, even in very small quantities!

 - The use of this medicine is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor has advised you otherwise.

 - It is not recommended to use this medicine during breastfeeding.

 - The influence of Esperal on the management of motor vehicles and machine handling

 - Due to the dangers of drowsiness, motor vehicle management and the use of machinery may present danger.

• HOW TO USE THE ESPERAL ?

 - Swallow the whole tablet with half a glass of water in the morning, at breakfast time, after at least 24 hours of alcohol abstinence.Your doctor will advise you how long to take the Esperal drug

 • WHAT ARE KNOWN SIDE EFFECTS?

 • Digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea),

 • Metal taste in the mouth; breath from the mouth,

 • Unpleasant smell in patients with colostomy,

 • Disorders of lower limb sensitivity, visual impairment,

 • Neurological disorders (loss of memory, obstruction),

 • Drowsiness and exhaustion at the beginning of treatment,

 • Headaches,

 • Skin reactions, possibly due to a previous allergy reaction

Due to the combination of disulfiram and alcohol:

  • Redness of the face, redness, nausea, and vomiting, tension and restlessness, rapid heart rate, drop in blood pressure;

  • Rapid heart rate, angina pectoris (chest pain), cardiovascular collapse, heart attack , sudden death, slow breathing, and neurological disorder