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Fossati C. 
“I Danni Provocati Dall'abuso di Bevande Alcooliche: Possibilita di Disassuefazione e Risultati Ottenuti in Etilisti Affetti da Broncopneumopatie Croniche.”. 
Clin Ter. 1974;71(1):63-86.
Abstract
Use of disulfiram in treatment of alcoholics is discussed and results of a small scale trial are presented. Chronic alcoholicism raises 2 important medical aspects; the weaning of the patient from alcohol and the repair of mental and physical damage caused by the alcoholicism itself. The cure of this condition requires psychotherapy; and tests in the US; have also combined LSD with group therapy. Drugs which cause severe ill-feeling when alcohol is drunk are also useful in the weaning process. The drug used most often is disulfirm (Antabuse), which blocks the alcohol-degrading metabólic pathway and leads to the accumulation of acetic aldehyde. Its effects can be countered by i.m. or i.v. antihistamines and by i.m. chlorpromazine or promazine (50-100 mg). Poorly compensated valvular cardio-pathy, myocardial and coronary disturbances, hypertension and cerebral arteriosclerosis are absolute contra-indications. Care is required in cases of advanced cirrhosis, renal insufficiency, severe diabetes, pregnancy and epilepsy. Untoward side effects of the prolonged use of disulfiram may be countered by nicotinic acid, adenine, Neoantergan, cocarboxylase, ascorbic acid, ferro-ascorbate, caffeine, etc. A test of disulfirm amongst 14 patients with tuberculosis and alcoholism, using 1-1.5 g/day (2-3 tablets/day) for 3-4 days and then 1 tablet/day for 2-5 months, gave good results in 28.ó0f cases, fair results in 32.15% and negative results in 39.25%. Calcium citrate carbamide (Temposil) has recently been proposed for the same purpose as disulfirm and would seem to deserve attention.
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