Selected Nitroimidazole Antimicrobials/Disulfiram Interactions
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Very Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects and are usually not taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
The cause of the interaction is not known.
What might happen:
You may become confused or experience mood changes or mental changes.
What you should do about this interaction:
Contact your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) about using these medicines together. Your doctor may want to change your antibiotic if you have taken disulfiram in the last two weeks. If your doctor decides that your medicine is the best choice for your condition, contact your doctor if you experience confusion, or mood or mental changes.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
- 1.Goodhue WW Jr. Disulfiram-metronidazole (well identified) toxicity. N Engl J Med 1969 Jun 26;280(26):1482-3.
- 2.Benznidazole. US Prescribing Information. Exeltis USA, Inc. November, 2019.
- 3.Fexinidazole US prescribing information. Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC July, 2021.
- 4.Metronidazole US prescribing information. Baxter Healthcare Corporation June, 2009.
- 5.Tinidazole US prescribing information. Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. October 12, 2017.
- 6.Rothstein E, Clancy DD. Toxicity of disulfiram combined with metronidazole. N Engl J Med 1969 May 1;280(18):1006-7.
- 7.Rothstein E, Clancy DD. Combined use of disulfiram and metronidazole in treatment of alcoholism. Q J Stud Alcohol 1970 Jun;31(2):446-7.
- 8.Czarnecka E. Pharmacological evaluation of the central effect of ethyl alcohol after administration with disulfiram and metronidazole. Pol Tyg Lek 1981 May 25;36(21):779-80.
- 9.Luykx JJ, Vis R, Tijdink JK, Dirckx M, Van Hecke J, Vinkers CH. Psychotic symptoms after combined metronidazole-disulfiram use. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2013 Feb;33(1):136-7.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.