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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTABUSE
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTABUSE
by PAUL.B.OK, Nov 06, 2001 12:00AM
I WAS PRESCRIBED DISULFIRAM (ANTABUSE) FOR ALCHOHOLISM (alcoholism).
SINCE THEN, I HAVE SUFFERED PERMANANT BREATHING DIFFICULTY AND CHEST PROBLEMS. MY OWN DOCTOR HAS GIVEN ME STEROIDS (PREDNISOLONE) IN LARGE BUT SHORT DOSES (8X 5mg TABS PER DAY FOR TEN DAYS) WHICH HELPS A LOT HOWEVER THE SYMPTEMS SOON COME BACK.
AT THE VERY WORST I CAN BARELY BREATH, WALK ONLY A FEW PACES AND FEEL HOT ALL OVER, ESPECIALLY MY HANDS, FEET AND CHEST.
I OFTEN VOMIT IN THE MORNING WHEN I AWAKE AND IT TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR EACH MORNING BEFORE I CAN EVEN FUNTION.
THE CONDITION IS WORST DURING SLEEP.
CAN DISULFIRAM CAUSE PERMANANT DAMAGE TO THE LUNGS?
I WAS QUITE FIT AND HEALTHY PRIOR TO TAKING IT AND A KEEN ICE SKATER 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK!
SINCE THEN, I HAVE SUFFERED PERMANANT BREATHING DIFFICULTY AND CHEST PROBLEMS. MY OWN DOCTOR HAS GIVEN ME STEROIDS (PREDNISOLONE) IN LARGE BUT SHORT DOSES (8X 5mg TABS PER DAY FOR TEN DAYS) WHICH HELPS A LOT HOWEVER THE SYMPTEMS SOON COME BACK.
AT THE VERY WORST I CAN BARELY BREATH, WALK ONLY A FEW PACES AND FEEL HOT ALL OVER, ESPECIALLY MY HANDS, FEET AND CHEST.
I OFTEN VOMIT IN THE MORNING WHEN I AWAKE AND IT TAKES ABOUT AN HOUR EACH MORNING BEFORE I CAN EVEN FUNTION.
THE CONDITION IS WORST DURING SLEEP.
CAN DISULFIRAM CAUSE PERMANANT DAMAGE TO THE LUNGS?
I WAS QUITE FIT AND HEALTHY PRIOR TO TAKING IT AND A KEEN ICE SKATER 3 OR 4 TIMES A WEEK!
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, Nov 08, 2001 12:00AM
, Nov 08, 2001 12:00AM
It is possible for a wide range of drugs to cause breathing difficulty. Since your symptoms are persisting despite treatment with steroids, further evaluation by a lung specialist, also known as a pulmonologist, may be needed to answer your question. Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT), chest X-ray, and CT scan could be helpful in determining the problem.
