Hi there, I have been on Antabuse for the past 2 weeks at a dose of 200mg once daily. I stopped taking antabuse on Monday morning. Is it safe to drink on Friday night? How can I 'test' if the antabuse is safely all out my system? If it is not what will happen when I consume alcohol, and in what amount before I notice symptoms of the antabuse perhaps still in my system? If I have no reaction does it mean I am safe to drink? Would a reaction occur in say 20 minutes of a few mouthfuls of low alcohol beer say? Thanks in advance.
Antabuse and days before I can safely drink?
Question posted by JR1234 on 30 Oct 2013
Last updated on 20 April 2015
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Answers
blaze22
31 Oct 2013
You must wait at least 12 hours or more before consuming Antabuse. The effects with alcohol are of course, nausea, chest pain, vomiting, low blood pressure and vertigo... other symptoms may arise however each person is different... you may want to consult your pharmacist and or doctor to let them know you have stopped taking the medication. Hope this was helpful, Blaze22
toptiger
20 April 2015
This is absolutely wrong advice. You should not take Antabuse for at least 12 hours after having your last drink of alcohol. NOT the other way around! You are putting yourself in serious jeopardy by drinking 12 hours after having had alcohol. All people are different but it is recommended that you not drink for from 14 - 21 days, with up to one month for some people. I took 250 mg of Antabuse a day and then, after 5 days, tried to drink. Drank a fifth (750 ml) of wine over three hours. Got very weak, fainted twice and my BP dropped to 74/48. LISTEN UP! Don't drink any alcohol for at least 14 days.
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Further information
- Antabuse uses and safety info
- Antabuse prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Antabuse (detailed)
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