Antabuse and Headaches: What Users Say

• Div...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2017

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I have attempted sobriety several times, all resulting in returning to alcohol. I attempted Antabuse once and panicked. I have learned from my experiences. I have been sober for over 3 months now, started Antabuse two weeks ago. Now that it is in my system, I could not rate it high enough, but I would stress that being in the correct state of mind is essential. I have not succeeded in the past, but I am extremely confident that I can and will this time. SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTABUSE: Tiredness, Headaches, Spots. SIDE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL: Blackouts, Vomiting, Hangovers, Memory Loss, Cost, Time in Hospital, Loss of Bladder/Bowel Control, Physical Damage to self (accidents, broken bones), Seizures, Embarrassment, After effects due to behavior whilst drunk. PREFERENCE?"

• chi...
• February 23, 2012

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Used it for four weeks two years ago but was then scaremongered about its side effects by a hospital counselor. Still couldn't control my drinking and it has been getting to a seriously dangerous state so I started back on them last Saturday. Today is Day 6 and I have been to the pub for lunch and coffee and have not felt the need to drink although I have felt cravings. Have had trouble sleeping and a few headaches but nothing too untoward. Hope to stay sober for a lot longer!"

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2011

For Alcohol Use Disorder "If anything, the Antabuse works TOO well for me! It makes me super sensitive to any alcohol... whether it's in the hand sanitizers, nail polish removers, colognes (even on other people around me), and even some sugar-free food products (sugar alcohols). Gives me headaches and severe thirst as well."

• Dee...
• August 10, 2018

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I tried acamprosate and naltraxone. Both were jokes. Finally, I tried Antabuse. I heard many stories online that some could even drink on Antabuse. I was in fear. It was my last chance. I wanted the drug to make me sick, terribly sick. Because I knew I would eventually experiment. A few days passed sober, one day I had an urge to drink. I wanted to experiment, so I took a beer. Afraid and scared, I finished my first beer. Once the beer was in, my fear vanished. I ordered another and went home. Slowly, I got what was about to happen. A feeling of a heart attack. I wasn't able to breathe. But inside, I was happy - my biggest fear that Antabuse wouldn't work wasn't true. It was working, promise. First time in my life I booked a cycle rickshaw for a 10 min walking distance, asked the driver to drop me at whatever price. I puked, unlimitedly had a terrible headache. I was so happy that the next weeks I took my Antabuse every day. Side effects: I sleep 24/7 on weekends and wish I had more time to sleep. Too much fatigue and drowsiness."

• Kim...
• August 7, 2008

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I have been using Antabuse for a month. I have had some side effects such as nausea and headaches. I still feel that the benefit of the prescription far outweighs any side effects, knowing this has really given my family a sense of security."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Antabuse has worked well for me, I have been sober nearly two months. The fear of the bad medical reaction was enough to boost my willpower to avoid alcohol. At around 42 days on it, I 'tested' it with a shot of tequila in a bottle I found around the house. I drank it slowly over 10 minutes. Shortly after, my face was red and my head was pounding. Veins in my forehead were protruding, my heart rate was racing, a bit scary. I drank plenty of water to try to counteract. The reaction lasted about 45-60 minutes. This stuff works. The price was very cheap, but I live in Spain."

• min...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 26, 2023

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Love this medication. I've struggled with drinking for nearly 5 years. This medication was my last resort to try. I don't notice any side effects. I take two pills in the evening every day. Out of pure curiosity (and stupidity), I did try drinking to experience the aftereffects of the medication. After about 15 minutes of taking a shot, I was incredibly flushed. Soon after, I experienced extreme dizziness, nausea, headache, just overall a very unpleasant feeling for roughly 4-5 hours. I am actually glad I found out how terrible these aftereffects are because now more than ever, I know I cannot have a sip to drink. I will continue to take this every day to keep myself accountable!"

• Jee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I have been on the Antabuse medication since 08/28/2019. I only take 100 mg every 2 days. It works for me as I am absolutely terrified of the effects that it has. I was on this years ago on 200 mg a day, and I decided to try a bottle of wine and see what it does. Well, I thought I was dying. Head pounding, heart racing, full red body rash, vomiting uncontrollably. This medication works. Even though I am only on 100 mg every 2 days, I am too scared to drink. But the craving for alcohol does not go away, as my partner drinks every night when he comes home from work-4-5 bourbon and coke. I feel I am spinning in my own world when he tells me I am the alcoholic."

• Pol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2020

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I am a moderate-functioning alcoholic and have now been on Antabuse for six weeks. This is the second time I have taken it. It works great for me, but again I have to stop because of side effects: headaches (the worst of my life), nausea, lightheadedness, and feeling bone-tired. These get worse the longer I am on it. Maybe I produce enough alcohol in my digestive tract to cause problems. I have read that this is a thing, though I don't know if it's true."

• fun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2020

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I asked my doctor for Antabuse myself. I drank half a bottle of whiskey every evening (and up to 1 bottle on the weekend) with no hangover symptoms at all, nor stomach or other problems (that I know of anyway). I started taking Antabuse immediately after getting it, the first 3 days 400 mg (start dose), and after that 200 mg daily. During the weekend I used deodorant and skin disinfectant containing alcohol to check the effect, but nothing happened. Now I started drinking again, 2 whiskeys daily at the moment, only 15 minutes after taking 200 mg of disulfiram, but still no effect at all. I really hoped that the disulfiram would keep me away from alcohol. Any users with firsthand experience that have the same problem? It really baffles me that some can't even use hand disinfectant without getting a headache, and I can just keep on drinking. Just FYI: I'm not proud that my liver doesn't seem to respond to disulfiram, I'm past the stage (and age) that I thought this might be a cool thing."

• bee...
• July 3, 2015

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Had a drink while on Antabuse. Felt nauseous, heartbeats increased, bloodshot eyes, headache. Never drank when taking again."