[Mechanism of action of disulfiram and treatment optimization in prevention of recurrent alcoholism].

The current frequent use of disulfiram in alcohol relapse prevention, and the possible extension of the indication (cocaine addiction, pathological gambling) make in-depth knowledge about therapeutic effects, interactions, contraindications, and side effects of disulfiram in alcohol relapse prevention the psychological-psychotherapeutic and supportive effects are perhaps more important than the pharmacological effects. The efficacy and safety of supervised disulfiram treatment is verified in a number of studies (also in co-morbid psychiatric patients). In addition, in this review options were presented, which can improve the safety of the treatment with disulfiram (e.g. Ethylglucuoronide and pharmacogenetics). Given the high prevalence of alcohol dependence in our view disulfiram is used very little, although the use of disulfiram in the context of structured, multi-modal outpatient treatment programs are considered to be safe.