Sulfiram Alcohol

The chlorpropamide-alcohol flush reaction, although extensively studied, is by no means fully understood. It seems to be related to the di-sulfiram-alcohol reaction, and is accompanied by a rise in blood-acetaldehyde levels (see also Alcohol -i- Disulfiram , p.61). It also appears to be genetically determined and may involve both prostaglandins and endogenous opioids. The decreased hdf-life of tolbutamide in alcoholics is probably due to the inducing effects of alcohol on liver microsomal enzymes. ... 

Sulfiram is related to disulfiram, and after repeated topical treatment the ingestion of alcohol can rarely cause a similar reaction, with generalized flushing, malaise, and rhinorrhea (32). 

Subjects exposed to DMF vapour develop substantial amounts of DMF and its metabolite (V-methylformamide) in their blood and urine. This latter compound in particular has been shown in rats given alcohol to raise their blood acetaldehyde levels by a factor of five, so it would seem probable that the A -methylformamide is similarly responsible for this di-sulfiram-like reaction in man (see Aleohol + Disulfiram , p.61). ... 

Disulflram-like reactions have been seen in at least three patients who drank alcohol after using a solution of sulfiram on the skin for the treatment of scabies. 

Sulfiram (tetraethylthiuram monosulphide) is closely related to disulfiram (tetraethylthiuram disulphide) and can apparently undergo photochemical conversion to disulfiram when exposed to light. The longer it is stored, the higher the concentration. The reaction with alcohol appears therefore to be largely due to the presence of disulfiram, see Alcohol + Disulfiram ,... 

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