Antabuse side effects
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: macomb, mi
Posts: 3
Antabuse side effects
Here's a real stupid question: has anyone found a way to get rid of the horrible garlic/glue/paste taste and smell that comes from taking Antabuse? Though I'm not certain, I got a feeling I'm walking around everyday reeking like a clove of garlic despite brushing/mints/gum etc. I got the feeling it's leaking from my pores just like alcohol. Can't mask it with any cologne either 'cause that stuff all has alcohol in it.
Grateful recovering alcoholic
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Blissfield, MI
Posts: 814
Antabuse can be very helpful. I think that if it is helping you stay sober - continue. I remember when my dad had his first heart attack (11 years ago) he took garlic to assist with his cholesterol... He stunk; but he was doing something good for himself.
Probably smells better to have garlic coming out of your pores rather than booze!!!
Oh, and give AA an honest effort too.
Jen
Probably smells better to have garlic coming out of your pores rather than booze!!!
Oh, and give AA an honest effort too.
Jen
Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: grand jct, co
Posts: 197
Fraankie haven't heard from you in awhile - I still haven't been able to get to a meeting. But i used to attend years ago, i guess i wasn't going about it the right way - because i was drinking right after class.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Can
Posts: 79
I realise there's a lot of mixed feelings about antabuse, but in my case it's helped me "put the brakes on" a few times. I was on it for about eight months and never had the garlic thing. Have you considered asking someone if you smell like you think you might be?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: macomb, mi
Posts: 3
I was sober for sixteen years starting in 1989. I relapsed 3 times this year (relapsed or got drunk -- it's just a matter of semantics). I've also never stopped going to AA since 1989, nor during my relapses. So I think taking Antabuse is an acceptable way to help in my new quest for sobriety. Two people, including my girlfriend, have told me that I smell like garlic...nearly 24 hours after taking it! A garlic taste and/or metalic taste is a common side effect of Antabuse that's s'posed to go away after a couple weeks. Guess it's just the way it reacts with my chemistry.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Can
Posts: 79
Actually mine is labeled as disulfiram. Antabuse seems to be the brand name. Maybe that's why.
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-a02.html
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-a02.html
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 19
Disulfiram is the medical term for antabuse. It does cause a garlic or metallic taste in the mouth and also tiredness. The side effects are suppossed to go after two weeks but I took it for four and felt like crap so I stopped. The taste in your mouth is a chemical reaction Music.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Scotland
Posts: 19
Originally Posted by fraankie
ok
if it works
it works
probably a good deterrent
i did hear violent side effects
if you drink
so
be cautious
best
fraankie
if it works
it works
probably a good deterrent
i did hear violent side effects
if you drink
so
be cautious
best
fraankie
Red Hot Chili Pepper
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Jefferson --a State of Mind
Posts: 153
I came and checked out this thread after Rommel's post, so my response is at least partially to him.
I discussed Anabuse with my doctor. It was my husband's 'Golden Pill' so to speak and I finally asked him if he was going to tie me down and force me to take it every morning.
Doc said Anabuse probably wasn't for me. Most people have their most resolve in the morning. They're hungover, they feel like crap, or whatever, and they're most willing to take the pill with all the resolve to quit drinking in the world, then be stuck with the rammifications of it. For me? I'd be more likely to take a drink in the morning than a pill. I think if you have the resolve to take Anabuse, you have the resolve to go to AA or even try an outpatient recover program/group. If you want to take a handful of pills in the morning (a kind of placebo effect) take vitamins and other supplements you need. I love taking pills in the morning. However, they're a multi-vitamin, a B Complex, Calcium, and whatever else strikes me --usually Omega-3. You don't want to overdo those either.
Kelly
I discussed Anabuse with my doctor. It was my husband's 'Golden Pill' so to speak and I finally asked him if he was going to tie me down and force me to take it every morning.
Doc said Anabuse probably wasn't for me. Most people have their most resolve in the morning. They're hungover, they feel like crap, or whatever, and they're most willing to take the pill with all the resolve to quit drinking in the world, then be stuck with the rammifications of it. For me? I'd be more likely to take a drink in the morning than a pill. I think if you have the resolve to take Anabuse, you have the resolve to go to AA or even try an outpatient recover program/group. If you want to take a handful of pills in the morning (a kind of placebo effect) take vitamins and other supplements you need. I love taking pills in the morning. However, they're a multi-vitamin, a B Complex, Calcium, and whatever else strikes me --usually Omega-3. You don't want to overdo those either.
Kelly
quietmindrecovery.org
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 33
I posted the following in another thread, but I thought I'd put it here as well; since I thought my .02 cents worth might be worth...well .02 cents:
I used Antabuse back in my drinking days, and found the knowledge that I'd be very sick didn't prevent me from drinking; any more than the knowledge that I'd loose my family and job kept me from drinking. Alcoholics are not particularly concerned about consequences.
Generally, you will find that I promote a drug free (legal drugs included) path of recovery. Alcoholism is a symptom of deeper issues that need to be resolved if you are to experience a happy recovery. My website deals with my approach on that subject.
Having said that, I realize that sometimes we may want to temporarily employ pharmaceutical means that might assist our quitting. You could consider asking your doctor (or doing your own research) about Naltrexone for alcoholism treatment. Here is a link: http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/BKD268/28c.aspx
Again, I don’t favor these drug approaches to the treatment of alchololism. I’m only mentioning Naltrexone for your consideration as a possible alternative to Antabuse.
I used Antabuse back in my drinking days, and found the knowledge that I'd be very sick didn't prevent me from drinking; any more than the knowledge that I'd loose my family and job kept me from drinking. Alcoholics are not particularly concerned about consequences.
Generally, you will find that I promote a drug free (legal drugs included) path of recovery. Alcoholism is a symptom of deeper issues that need to be resolved if you are to experience a happy recovery. My website deals with my approach on that subject.
Having said that, I realize that sometimes we may want to temporarily employ pharmaceutical means that might assist our quitting. You could consider asking your doctor (or doing your own research) about Naltrexone for alcoholism treatment. Here is a link: http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/BKD268/28c.aspx
Again, I don’t favor these drug approaches to the treatment of alchololism. I’m only mentioning Naltrexone for your consideration as a possible alternative to Antabuse.
body ~ mind ~ spirit
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Geelong, Australia
Posts: 582
everyone's internal chemical state is different, depending on blood type, diet, drugs etc. Maybe yours is reacting in a certain way. I hate the thought of drugs altogether. Can you combat your occasional drinking episodes some other way, rework steps, make lists? How have you done it before? I find I forget things that I used to know over time and somethings I have to rework. You have heaps of experience there. Can you draw on it rather than on a quick fix, are you just being lazy here, or putting your faith in a drug rather than however you did it before.
cheers, brigid
cheers, brigid
Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: long island,ny
Posts: 190
I have been taking generic Antabuse and find that i smell like broccoli,cabbage....i can't get over it....guess it's the sulphur in it....I stopped taking it....slowly the bad odor is fading.....
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