Disulfiram 250 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Alcohol dependence – as a deterrent that causes an unpleasant reaction if you drink, supporting someone who has decided to stop; Used as part of a de-addiction programme with counselling and family support, never alone.
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.65 to ₹7.50 per tablet across 6 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antadict 250 | Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹6.45 | ₹0.65 | 19 October 2026 |
| Chronol 250 | Kolson India Healthcare Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹28.13 | ₹2.81 | 19 October 2026 |
| Deadict 250 | Psychotropics India Ltd | 10 | ₹37.50 | ₹3.75 | 19 October 2026 |
| Dizone 250 | Ozone Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹46.15 | ₹4.62 | 19 October 2026 |
| Esperal 250 | Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd | 10 | ₹54.04 | ₹5.40 | 19 October 2026 |
| Recopress 250 | Leeford Healthcare Ltd | 6 | ₹45.00 | ₹7.50 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Alcohol dependence – as a deterrent that causes an unpleasant reaction if you drink, supporting someone who has decided to stop.
- Used as part of a de-addiction programme with counselling and family support, never alone.
- Helping maintain abstinence after detox in people who have relapsed on other treatments, under a psychiatrist or de-addiction specialist.
How to take it
Take one 250 mg tablet once a day, usually in the morning, exactly as your de-addiction doctor prescribes. You must not have had any alcohol for at least 12 to 24 hours before the first dose, and you must know and agree to the treatment – it is never given secretly. If you cannot swallow the tablet, it can be crushed and mixed with water, tea or juice. The reaction with alcohol (flushing, pounding headache, vomiting, chest pain, breathlessness) can occur with even small amounts – including cough syrups, tonics, vinegar-rich foods, aftershave and sanitiser fumes – and can continue for up to 2 weeks after the last tablet. Carry a card saying you take disulfiram. Liver tests are checked before starting and periodically.
Side effects
Common
- Drowsiness, tiredness.
- Metallic or garlic-like taste.
- Headache.
- Acne or mild rash.
- Reduced sex drive.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, severe tiredness – liver injury, which can be sudden; stop and see a doctor.
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the hands and feet (nerve damage).
- Confusion, psychosis, fits.
- Severe disulfiram-alcohol reaction – collapse, chest pain, very low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat; emergency.
Safety information
Alcohol
Absolutely no alcohol in any form – drinks, cough syrups, tonics, homeopathic dilutions, mouthwash, fermented foods, and avoid skin contact with alcohol-based sanitiser or perfume. The reaction can be dangerous.
Pregnancy
Not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding; tell your doctor.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease; dose may need adjusting.
Liver problems
Do not use in active liver disease or cirrhosis. Liver tests are checked regularly because disulfiram can itself cause liver injury.
Children
Not for use under 18.
Missed dose
Take it as soon as you remember unless the next dose is nearly due, then skip it. Do not double up.
Interactions
- Metronidazole and tinidazole (common antibiotics for infections) – can cause confusion and psychosis; avoid.
- Warfarin – bleeding risk rises; INR must be checked.
- Phenytoin – levels can rise to toxic levels.
- Isoniazid (TB) – drowsiness and coordination problems.
- Benzodiazepines (diazepam, alprazolam) – stronger and longer sedation.
- Any medicine, syrup or tonic that contains alcohol – triggers the reaction; check labels with your pharmacist.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I drink alcohol on Dizone?
Within about 10 minutes you get flushing, throbbing headache, nausea and vomiting, sweating, chest pain, breathlessness and a drop in blood pressure that can last an hour or more. Large amounts of alcohol can cause collapse and need emergency care.
Can Dizone be given secretly to a family member?
No. Giving disulfiram without the person's knowledge is unsafe and unethical – an unexpected reaction can be life-threatening and liver damage can go unnoticed. It only works as part of a treatment the person has agreed to.
How long after stopping Esperal can I drink alcohol?
The reaction can occur for up to 2 weeks after the last tablet, because disulfiram leaves the body slowly. Ideally, the aim is to remain alcohol-free altogether.
Esperal vs Dizone – which is better?
Both contain disulfiram 250 mg and work the same way. The difference is only in brand and price.
Can I take cough syrup with Dizone?
Only alcohol-free ones. Many cough syrups, tonics and homeopathic medicines contain alcohol and can trigger the reaction. Ask your pharmacist to check the label.
Disulfiram vs naltrexone – what is the difference?
Disulfiram makes you sick if you drink, acting as a deterrent. Naltrexone reduces craving and the pleasure from alcohol without a sickness reaction. Your de-addiction doctor chooses based on your situation and liver health.
Is Dizone bad for the liver?
It can rarely cause serious liver injury, and it is not given to people with existing liver disease. Blood tests are done before starting and during treatment; report yellow eyes or dark urine at once.
Does Dizone need a prescription?
Yes. Disulfiram is a Schedule H medicine prescribed by a psychiatrist or de-addiction specialist, with counselling and regular monitoring.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Disulfiram (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms