A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for Alcoholism
Background. Disulfiram, a drug used in the treatment of alcohol dependence, is an inhibitor of dopamine-β-hydroxylase causing an increase in the concentration of dopamine in the mesolimbic system. In addition to the physical symptoms associated with concomitant use of alcohol, disulfiram may lead to...
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doaj-f50c508088b24707904d2331bfcaeeec2020-11-24T22:59:59ZengHindawi LimitedCase Reports in Psychiatry2090-682X2090-68382014-01-01201410.1155/2014/561092561092A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for AlcoholismRaquel Calvão de Melo0Rui Lopes1José Carlos Alves2Department of Psychiatry, Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, Azores, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, PortugalClinic of Psychiatry and Mental Health, São João Hospital, 4200-319 Porto, PortugalDepartment of Psychiatry, Divino Espírito Santo Hospital, Azores, 9500-370 Ponta Delgada, PortugalBackground. Disulfiram, a drug used in the treatment of alcohol dependence, is an inhibitor of dopamine-β-hydroxylase causing an increase in the concentration of dopamine in the mesolimbic system. In addition to the physical symptoms associated with concomitant use of alcohol, disulfiram may lead to adverse events, when used alone, including psychosis. Aims. To report a case of a rare complication when using disulfiram for alcoholism treatment in a patient in alcoholic abstinence. Case Report. We describe the case of a 42-year-old male patient, who developed psychotic symptoms 3 weeks after initiating treatment with disulfiram for alcohol dependency. The patient had a history of chronic alcoholism for 12 years and was under disulfiram treatment (250 mg/day) for 1 month, with no other past history of psychiatric illness. The symptoms worsened after he initiated alcohol consumption, while taking disulfiram. The patient was hospitalized and disulfiram was suspended. After 4 days he was asymptomatic and at 6-week follow-up remained asymptomatic. Conclusion. Treatment with disulfiram can lead to the appearance of psychosis in patients with increased vulnerability. In clinical practice, psychosis in the context of alcoholism with disulfiram therapy is often neglected and should be taken into account.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/561092 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Raquel Calvão de Melo Rui Lopes José Carlos Alves |
spellingShingle |
Raquel Calvão de Melo Rui Lopes José Carlos Alves A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for Alcoholism Case Reports in Psychiatry |
author_facet |
Raquel Calvão de Melo Rui Lopes José Carlos Alves |
author_sort |
Raquel Calvão de Melo |
title |
A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for Alcoholism |
title_short |
A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for Alcoholism |
title_full |
A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for Alcoholism |
title_fullStr |
A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for Alcoholism |
title_full_unstemmed |
A Case of Psychosis in Disulfiram Treatment for Alcoholism |
title_sort |
case of psychosis in disulfiram treatment for alcoholism |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
Case Reports in Psychiatry |
issn |
2090-682X 2090-6838 |
publishDate |
2014-01-01 |
description |
Background. Disulfiram, a drug used in the treatment of alcohol dependence, is an inhibitor of dopamine-β-hydroxylase causing an increase in the concentration of dopamine in the mesolimbic system. In addition to the physical symptoms associated with concomitant use of alcohol, disulfiram may lead to adverse events, when used alone, including psychosis. Aims. To report a case of a rare complication when using disulfiram for alcoholism treatment in a patient in alcoholic abstinence. Case Report. We describe the case of a 42-year-old male patient, who developed psychotic symptoms 3 weeks after initiating treatment with disulfiram for alcohol dependency. The patient had a history of chronic alcoholism for 12 years and was under disulfiram treatment (250 mg/day) for 1 month, with no other past history of psychiatric illness. The symptoms worsened after he initiated alcohol consumption, while taking disulfiram. The patient was hospitalized and disulfiram was suspended. After 4 days he was asymptomatic and at 6-week follow-up remained asymptomatic. Conclusion. Treatment with disulfiram can lead to the appearance of psychosis in patients with increased vulnerability. In clinical practice, psychosis in the context of alcoholism with disulfiram therapy is often neglected and should be taken into account. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/561092 |
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