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disulfiram
noun
di·sul·fi·ram
dī-ˈsəl-fə-ˌram
: a compound C10H20N2S4 that causes a severe physiological reaction to alcohol and is used especially in the treatment of alcoholism
Examples of disulfiram in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 1937, a rubber plant physician observed that workers exposed to disulfiram displayed adverse reactions to alcohol, including nausea, vomiting and tachycardia – meaning fast heart rate.
—Joseph P. Schacht, The Conversation, 20 May 2024
Subsequent research determined that disulfiram inhibits alcohol metabolism, leading to the accumulation of acetaldehyde.
—Joseph P. Schacht, The Conversation, 20 May 2024
The oldest and best known of these medications is disulfiram – sold under the brand name Antabuse – a compound that was first used in the American rubber industry.
—Joseph P. Schacht, The Conversation, 20 May 2024
The same principle underlies the use of the medication disulfiram as a treatment for alcohol abuse.
—Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2019
In the 1940s, doctors explored whether disulfiram was useful as a treatment for alcohol abuse.
—Richard Klasco, New York Times, 15 June 2018
Around this time, manufacturers began using a chemical known as disulfiram to accelerate the vulcanization of rubber.
—Richard Klasco, New York Times, 15 June 2018
Another study looked at substance abuse treatment programs across the country and found that fewer than 20 percent sustained their use of medications including naltrexone or disulfiram.
—Nathaniel Morris, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2017
In his clinical practice, he’d occasionally prescribed Antabuse (disulfiram) to patients who struggled with alcohol addiction.
—Emily Anthes, Bloomberg.com, 3 Aug. 2017
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Word History
Etymology
disulfide + thiourea + amyl
First Known Use
1946, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near disulfiram
Cite this Entry
“Disulfiram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disulfiram. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
disulfiram
noun
di·sul·fi·ram
variants
or chiefly British disulphiram
: a compound C10H20N2S4 that causes a severe physiological reaction to alcohol and is used especially in the treatment of alcoholism
called also tetraethylthiuram disulfide
see antabuseMore from Merriam-Webster on disulfiram
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about disulfiram
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