Birchgreen

Hi Guys, I have a question for these extraordinary times. Anyone on Antabuse/disulfiram who is struggling with using hand (alcohol) gels? Anyone struggling with anxiety because they can’t use them because of reactions, anyone relapsed because they’re off the Antabuse so that they can use hand gels??? Just a thought.

Surrendered19

Wonder if there is any health guidance on these issues? It never occurred to me that a person on antabuse might get sick if their skin absorbs enough of the alcohol in hand sanitizer.

Where I live our state health dept advises that warm soapy water is shown to be as effective if not more effective at removing all sort of things from the skin, including COVID. Not as convenient when a person is out and about though.

biminiblue

I would call and talk to the pharmacist about it.

I mean, are you using antabuse or just making conversation? I'm sure the drug circular (the side effects and instructions) addresses this.

Birchgreen

I’m lucky in that I can still use creams/perfume/hand gels etc with alcohol content whilst on Antabuse without any reaction but I believe that some people aren’t so lucky. With Covid etc, for those living with mental health issues & addiction problems these days are even more challenging. I was just wondering if anyone on this forum was struggling with anxiety about using alcohol gels or had perhaps relapsed because of all the stuff going on...

Dee74

Hi Birchgreen

as far as I know washing with soap and water is as effective as sanitisers, tho not as convenient.

D

Verdantia

There are alcohol-free hand sanitizers available, Birchgreen--you might want to look them up online. I don't think absorption is an issue as much as the smell of alcohol perhaps being a trigger to ingest it, but your best bet is to ask a pharmacist. Best of luck--I have been on naltrexone but not antabuse.