Drug Interactions between Benadryl and disulfiram

CONTRAINDICATED: Consumption of ethanol during treatment with disulfiram may cause flushing, nausea, blurred vision, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, and hypotension. Death has been reported. The mechanism is probably related to inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme responsible for the oxidation of acetaldehyde to acetyl CoA. Accumulation of acetaldehyde probably results.

MANAGEMENT: Ethanol should be avoided in patients receiving disulfiram.

GENERALLY AVOID: Use of anticholinergic agents with alcohol may result in sufficient impairment of attention so as to render driving and operating machinery more hazardous. In addition, the potential for abuse may be increased with the combination. The mechanism of interaction is not established but may involve additive depressant effects on the central nervous system. No effect of oral propantheline or atropine on blood alcohol levels was observed in healthy volunteers when administered before ingestion of a standard ethanol load. However, one study found impairment of attention in subjects given atropine 0.5 mg or glycopyrrolate 1 mg in combination with alcohol.

MANAGEMENT: Alcohol should generally be avoided during therapy with anticholinergic agents. Patients should be counseled to avoid activities requiring mental alertness until they know how these agents affect them.