Teturam

Teturam is a medicine prescribed for chronic alcoholism. It is used in situations where other methods have no effect.

After drinking alcohol, the drug causes a person to feel discomfort, leads to a feeling of fear or heat in the upper body, reddening of the epidermis, increased heart rate, breathing problems, noise in the head and pressure in the chest area, and also reduces blood pressure. [ 1 ]

Indications Teturam

It is used in people with alcohol dependence to prevent the development of relapses during therapy.

Release form

The drug is released in the form of tablets - 30 or 50 pieces in a bottle, pack or jar.

Pharmacodynamics

The drug mainly acts on the metabolism of alcohol in the blood, potentiating its negative impact on the body. Alcohol is biotransformed by blocking enzyme groups and metal ions responsible for neutralizing the effect of alcohol on the body. [ 2 ]

Pharmacokinetics

When taken orally, the drug is absorbed at a high speed, but not completely (70-90%) in the gastrointestinal tract. The duration of the drug's effect is 48 hours.

Disulfiram is rapidly metabolized through reduction to form diethyldithiocarbamate, which is released in the form of conjugates, or diethylamine with carbon disulfide (within 4-53%). Carbon disulfide is excreted through the lungs. [ 3 ]

Dosing and administration

The medication should be used only under the strict supervision of the attending physician.

The dosage is selected individually for each patient. Average doses (250-500 mg per day) are tolerated by the body without complications, without causing the development of side effects, and are also quickly excreted from the body.

The standard treatment regimen is implemented according to the scheme described below – in several phases or trials.

The first alcohol test is performed approximately 7 days after the start of treatment. You should take the daily dose of the medicine in the morning, and then 20-30 ml of alcohol (40% vodka is often used).

The second test is performed in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor after 2 days, and at home - after 3-5 days.

If the body's response is weak, during a new test the portion of alcohol is increased by 10-20 ml. During tests, it is allowed to consume no more than 100-120 ml of alcohol.

The response to alcohol can be mild, moderate or severe.

In case of a severe response (manifestations - pulsation and a feeling of fullness in the head, decreased blood pressure, severe breathing problems, increased speech arousal and motor activity, as well as convulsions), symptomatic actions are performed (use of subcutaneous, intravenous and intramuscular injections of camphor with coriamin, methylene blue liquid and lobelia with cytitone; in addition, oxygen inhalations are performed).

Subsequent actions are determined taking into account the symptoms that arise and the body's response. During all procedures performed, the patient must be in a lying position.

• Application for children

There is no information regarding the use of the drug in pediatrics.

Use Teturam during pregnancy

Teturam should not be administered to pregnant or breastfeeding women.

It is necessary to exclude the possibility of pregnancy before starting the therapeutic course. During the treatment period, it is necessary to use reliable contraception.

Contraindications

Contraindicated for diabetics, severe cardiosclerosis, thyroid disease, post- and pre-infarction conditions, and cerebral vascular pathologies. In addition, it is not used for any dysfunction of the cardiovascular system, tuberculosis with bloody expectoration, and other pulmonary diseases, including emphysema, tuberculosis, and asthma.

The drug is not used in cases of liver/kidney diseases, mental pathologies and abnormalities, gastric ulcers, glaucoma, neuritis (of various origins), brain infections, cancer, inflammation affecting peripheral nerves, and severe drug intolerance.

It should be used with caution in cases of residual symptoms of organic brain damage, previous teturam-type psychosis and inflammation of the internal vascular membrane, as well as in elderly people (over 60 years of age).

Side effects Teturam

The medication is quite specific, therefore it has many side effects, especially in case of prolonged use.

These mainly include disorders of the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as well as the gastrointestinal tract; in addition, liver dysfunction may be observed.

During therapy with the drug, all latent and chronic pathologies become aggravated, and in addition, allergic reactions (itching, epidermal rashes and swelling) may be observed.

In some cases, hallucinations, psychosis and delirium are observed. Changes in mental state may occur.

Overdose

Common signs of overdose include collapse, confusion, neurological disturbances, and coma.

Complex procedures are performed with intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous administration of drugs, as well as inhalations and administration of B-vitamins.

Interactions with other drugs

During the therapy period, you should avoid drinking beverages that contain alcohol, as well as medications that contain ethyl alcohol.

Teturam should not be combined with isoniazid, as this may cause acute behavioral disorder and impaired motor coordination.

It is prohibited to combine the drug with hepatotoxic substances, as this may lead to liver intoxication.

Storage conditions

Teturam should be stored in a place closed to small children, moisture and sunlight. The temperature level should not exceed 25 °C.

Shelf life

Teturam can be used for a period of 4 years from the date of manufacture of the pharmaceutical product.

Analogues

The analogs of the drug are Lidevin, Esperal with Tetlong-250 and Disulfiram.

Reviews

Teturam receives mixed reviews from patients who have taken it to treat alcoholism.

There are reports that the drug causes heartburn. If such a disorder occurs, it is necessary to consult a doctor - in this case, the dosage form of the drug may be changed - injections instead of tablets. This will avoid irritation of the gastric mucosa.

There is also information about the development of very severe complications in the case of alcohol consumption during treatment.

Reviews note that without a strong desire to give up alcohol, the drug will not be able to help. The patient will continue to drink during therapy, putting his life at risk, or will return to alcohol after the end of therapy.

At the same time, if the patient has a firm intention to cure alcoholism, pills will be very useful for eliminating psychological dependence. Due to the fact that alcohol will begin to cause a more negative reaction of the body, it will be easier to give it up.

It is also noted that disulfiram substances are more effective when used in combination with psychological methods of treating alcoholism.