disulfiram
/dʌɪˈsʌlfɪram
/noun [mass noun] Medicine
A synthetic compound used in the treatment of alcoholics to make drinking alcohol produce unpleasant after-effects. Also called Antabuse (trademark).
- Alternative name: tetraethylthiuram disulphide; chemical formula: (C2H5)2NCSSCN(C2H5)2.
- Occasionally the modestly toxic disulfiram (Antabuse ®) is useful.
- Consuming alcohol after taking disulfiram results in symptoms such as palpitations, flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headache.
Origin
1940s: blend of disulfide (see disulphide) and thiuram (from thio- + urea + amide).