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The British Journal of Psychiatry (1974) 125: 485-489. doi: 10.1192/bjp.125.5.485
© 1974 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Disulfiram Implantation Critically Evaluated

M. T. MALCOLM M.D., M.R.C.Psych.1, J. S. MADDEN M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., F.R.C.P.E., F.R.C.Psych.2, and A. E. WILLIAMS F.I.M.L.T.3

1 Senior Registrar; Consultant Psychiatrist, West Cheshire Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH1 3ST
2 Consultant Psychiatrist, West Cheshire Hospital, Liverpool Road, Chester, CH1 3ST
3 Chief Technologist, Chester City Hospital, Hoole Lane, Chester

Sixty-two alcoholic patients were treated by disulfiram implantation. At follow-up only three patients described any reaction on drinking and their symptoms were probably psychogenic.

Blood disulfiram levels above 0.1 mg.% were invariably found after oral disulfiram therapy. Such levels were occasionally recorded after implant, but only during the first post-operative week, when patients were usually still in hospital.

Carbon disulphide, a metabolite of disulfiram, was measurable in the exhaled breath of patients given oral disulfiram. Except in one case, this was not so after implantation.

It is believed that implantation does not give the patient pharmacologically active disulfiram cover, and that the deterrent effect of the procedure is psychological.

Submitted on March 7, 1974






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Copyright © 1974 The Royal College of Psychiatrists.