Alcohol Addiction Treatment – Disulfiram/Esperal implants

What Disulfiram / Esperal is? Łódź – where to get the treatment?

Disulfiram WZT  (former Esperal) is used in alcohol dependent patients. Disulfiram blocks an enzyme that is involved in metabolizing alcohol, it keeps you from drinking because of the unpleasant side effects that would occur if you consume any amount of alcohol while having Disulfiram implants. DISULFIRAM IS NOT A CURE. It should be used together with behavior modification, psychotherapy, and counselling support. Implanting Disulfiram must be done with the consent of the patient and under medical care.

Esperal Lodz
Esperal

How does it work?

The most important thing while using Disulfiram – do not drink alcohol. Disulfiram works by inhibiting the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenesase, which means many of the effects of “hangover” are felt immediately after alcohol is consumed. Some 5 to 10 minutes after alcohol intake, the patient may experience the effect of severe “hangover” that may last from 30 min to several hours. Symptoms may include flushing of the skin, accelerated heart rate, shortness of breath, vomiting, nausea, throbbing headache, mental confusion and circulatory collapse. In case of drinking alcohol while having Disulfiram implant SEEK EMERGENCY MEDICAL ATTENTION immediately.

Wear a medical alert tag or carry an ID card stating that you take Disulfiram. Any medical care provider who treats you should know that you are using Disulfiram.

What should I know before getting an Disulfiram implant?

Disulfiram cannot be used without the written consent of the patient. The patient has to be informed about the potential side effects before the treatment. The patient’s ID is required for signing the written consent. The whole prcedure takes up to 10 min. Afterwards the patient is ready for the treatment.

YOU MUST NOT DRINK ALCOHOL 48 TO 24 HOURS BEFORE THE TREATMENT. 

You should not use Disulfiram if you are allergic to it, or if:

  • you have recently taken metronidazole or paraldehyde; or
  • you have consumed any foods or products that contain alcohol (mouthwash, cooking wine, cough medicine, vinegar, some desserts etc.)

Contraindications:

  • drinking alcohol less than 24h before treatment,
  • pregnancy and breast-feeding,
  • taking phenytoin, tuberculosis medicine or a blood thinner,
  • cardiac insufficiency,
  • circulatory insufficiency,
  • history of heart attack and ischemic heart disease,
  • inflammation of the arteries,
  • high blood pressure,
  • optic neuritis,
  • past suicide attempts,
  • psychosis.

You should also inform your doctor if you:

  • have a personality disorder
  • have brain damage or have had a head injury
  • have epilepsy
  • have had a stroke
  • have hypothyroidism
  • have lung problems
  • have liver problems
  • have a history of mental illness

What should I expect during the treatment?

The treatment takes place in our SWISS MEDICUS Medical Centre in Lodz. The Disulfiram tablets are inserted under patient’s skin, in buttocks area. The surgeon cuts 5 to 10 mm of the skin and inserts the tablets into the muscle at the depth of 6-7cm. The amount of tablets depends on the patient’s weight, it means 1 tablet for every 10 kg in most cases. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

The whole treatment takes at about 15 min.

Esperal Lodz

Our price: on request

The price includes:

  1. surgical consultation
  2. procedure, anesthesia
  3. Disulfiram tablets