I'm not concerned about the not drinking. I am nervous about eating foods that will have vinegar or whatever in them and worry I will be sick. Same as wearing perfume. Is this the case?
I am about to start taking antabuse. Is the physical reaction bad against vingegar and other foods?
Question posted by Scutts on 17 Nov 2010
Last updated on 5 August 2021 by Leeam6
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
4 Answers
Leeam6
5 Aug 2021
I had a mild response from accidentally eating a pickle. Flushing, headache, it passed after 30 minutes. Alcohol in hand sanitisers or mouthwash hasn't been an issue for me. I take 250ml daily. Hope that helps
Inactive
3 May 2012
Hello Scutts. I used Antabuse for several years, on a daily basis. There really is no danger to using deoderants. I found that items such as pickles, vinegar never set of any reaction. My dose was a standard 500mg pill which I would take upon beginning my day. Regards, pledge
Inactive
16 Jan 2013
Pledge. You seem to be one of the sanest, most knowledgable on the topic of Antabuse. If I can't drink, I want to atleast be able to enjoy my food and be able to wear lotions and perfumes. Plus with flu season in full swing, what about alcohol-based sanitizers? Anyone else? Tonkaboots
suzanne66
17 Nov 2010
Yes, you should not take any products which have alcohol content in them
Alcohol consumed and mixed with Antabuse causes symptoms that include throbbing in the head or neck, painful headaches, flushing, nausea, sweating, hyperventilation, dizziness, and other disorienting symptoms. In mild cases this can last 30 to 60 minutes or longer in more severe cases.
Basically these are the precautions needed while using Antabuse:
Do not drink any alcohol, even small amounts, while you are taking this medicine and for 14 days after you stop taking it, because the alcohol may make you very sick. In addition to beverages, alcohol is found in many other products. Reading the list of ingredients on foods and other products before using them will help you to avoid alcohol. You can also avoid alcohol if you:
* Do not use alcohol-containing foods, products, or medicines, such as elixirs, tonics, sauces, vinegars, cough syrups, mouth washes, or gargles.
* Do not come in contact with or breathe in the fumes of chemicals that may contain alcohol, acetaldehyde, paraldehyde, or other related chemicals, such as paint thinner, paint, varnish, or shellac.
* Use caution when using alcohol-containing products that are applied to the skin, such as some transdermal (stick-on patch) medicines or rubbing alcohol, back rubs, after-shave lotions, colognes, perfumes, toilet waters, or after-bath preparations. Using such products while you are taking disulfiram may cause headache, nausea, or local redness or itching because the alcohol in these products may be absorbed into your body. Before using alcohol-containing products on your skin, first test the product by applying some to a small area of your skin. Allow the product to remain on your skin for 1 or 2 hours. If no redness, itching, or other unwanted effects occur, you should be able to use the product.
* Do not use any alcohol-containing products on raw skin or open wounds.
Check with your doctor if you have any questions.
https://www.drugs.com/cons/antabuse.html
https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/disulfiram,antabuse.html
https://www.drugs.com/food-interactions/disulfiram,antabuse.html
Rajive Goel
17 Nov 2010
Personally do not have experience with Antabuse, but it is presumed that vinegar & other condiments with alcohol should be ok, as children also consume food which has alcohol in them, so would be the case with wearing a perfume, the alcohol content is almost negligible and permissible for consumption or application.
However, it would be best to double check it with your doc/pharmacist who prescribed the med for more details, take care, be well & safe!
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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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