Disulfiram and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• JJ5...
• July 12, 2013

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Knowing how sick I'll get makes it possible to not drink. But the drowsiness side effect is unpleasant. All in all, if you really want to quit drinking, this may help you. It broke a 30-year habit for me, although I've had to repeat a few times. Quit telling yourself it's about willpower, get some help that WORKS!"

• Ref...
• November 15, 2013

For Alcohol Use Disorder "Best thing I've ever done, tried every other possible way to stop & this is the only thing that has broken my nine-year daily drinking habit. I couldn't recommend it highly enough to anyone out there that just can't stop. I take it at night as it makes me drowsy but suits me as it now serves as a sleeping pill as well, a bit dizzy & nauseous in the morning but early days. I take 1/2 tablet - 50mg every second night."

• Fro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2018

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I've been on disulfiram for 12 days. (Naltrexone and Topirimate were useless for me.) I still get urges, but my motivation is FEAR. When I get the urge, I tell myself I literally CAN'T or I'll end up in the hospital. It terrorizes me! I've changed some habits, too. At 5 pm, I make sure I'm at the mall or some place, etc. I've changed my eating habits. Drunks NEVER eat before they start drinking. You can't get drunk on a full stomach. So, I eat a meal shortly before 5. This definitely helps kill the urge. I'm just now getting over the drowsiness. It DOES go away. I no longer have to get up at 2 am to drink a gallon of soda for dehydration and no longer get sick in the afternoons from withdrawal symptoms - my body hurting for 5 o'clock to roll around. I also look better. The ruddiness in my nose and cheeks have gone away. I recommend this drug if you feel you could be motivated by FEAR. That's the only mechanism you can rely on."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2019

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I was sick of being a part of the mommy needs vodka groups, wine ‘o’clock, etc. Right before my eyes, I was having a glass or four of wine for literally no reason. No occasion to celebrate, nothing to cheers. All of a sudden, drinking became part of everything. I have kids, and I didn’t want alcohol to creep its way into my family. As I was starting to see, it was becoming a problem. I didn’t drink every day, but I wanted something to help stop cold turkey. 500 mg is intense. May be too strong for me, as I had lots of stomach issues and gained a few pounds, which I was not happy about. Super drowsy and tired. I went down to 250 mg for a few more months. It’s great for a sudden stop. Although this can be dangerous depending on how much you drink, so please discuss with your doctor. Cruising well into four months, and it has totally changed my life. It helps you see life without it. Almost makes you wonder why you drank as much as you did. Transitioning off now, though, as I find it hard on my system. Wow, though, really good to snap you in line though."

• Bea...
• August 30, 2016

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I started taking Antabuse to try and short circuit my inability to resist picking up at the drop of a hat. I now had to wait two weeks and, more often than not, would decide not to drink after all. So, for me, it's been effective. Reading these reviews, I've learned a lot about side effects that I never would have connected to my taking Antabuse. I never knew that Antabuse had any sexual side effects until now. This is a concern to me. Drowsiness, tiredness, tingling in my feet, are further side effects. These reviews have been very educating. My five years on Antabuse are over, for sure."

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2023

For Alcohol Use Disorder "I think it's a great medication! The only side effects I've had are very slight drowsiness, which I like because I have insomnia anyway, and a funny taste in my mouth. Personally, I am having to make my husband watch me take it each night, though, so I don't skip out on taking it! It's best to have someone keep you accountable for taking it! Overall, it is a wonderful med, and I don't see why it isn't utilized by more people!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2018

For Alcohol Use Disorder "500 mg per day appears to make me very drowsy."