Disulfiram-like reaction with ornidazole

Abstract

Many drugs are implicated in causation of disulfiram-like reaction. The disulfiram-like reaction can vary in severity and can occasionally be fatal. The reaction is believed to result from inhibition of metabolism of acetaldehyde to acetate by inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase. The increase in serum acetaldehyde results in unpleasant clinical manifestations. Metronidazole is known to cause disulfiram-like reaction. Although no previous report has implicated ornidazole in causation of disulfiram-like reaction, caution has been advised with the use of all imidazoles. We report the case of a 48-year-old male, who was taking ornidazole and developed features of disulfiram-like reaction after taking alcohol. The patient was managed with supportive measures and improved. The report highlights the need for clinicians to advise patients to restrict intake of alcohol if they are being prescribed imidazole derivatives.

Effect of Ar[sup +] Ion Implantation on Electrical Conductivity of Polycarbonate

“…Such an increase in the conductivity may be explained on the basis of the fact that ion implantation in polymers, leads to the formation of free radicals & dangling bonds, release of low molecular weight volatile species like hydrogen, trapping of high molecular weight fragments, etc leading to the creation of carbonaceous clusters on the implanted surface which are rich in charge carriers [6][7] which provide the continuous path for the charge transfer within the insulating polymer chain. The creation of such carbonaceous clusters on the implanted surface has been confirmed through Raman spectroscopy ( Figure 2) which revealed that all characteristic peaks of virgin PC have disappeared with the appearance of a band at wavenumber ~1530 cm -1 corresponding to the characteristic Gbands of hydrogenated amorphous carbon [6][7].…”

Unexpected death due to cefuroxime-induced disulfiram-like reaction

“…But the reaction occasionally could be severe enough to cause death. [1] Some cephalosporin could cause disulfiram-like reaction. Among these cephalosporins, the reaction is most often seen in cefoperazone, cefotetan, and moxalactam.…”

Alcohol-Medication Interactions: The Acetaldehyde Syndrome

“…A death due to an ethanol/ metronidazole interaction [42] and features of disulfiram-like reactions with ornidazole [43] have been reported. And despite the considerable number of case reports describing the association with disulfiram-like reactions secondary to metronidazole and ethanol interaction, reactions do not occur in all patients, suggesting an individual susceptibility [44].…”

“…Besides, the mechanism by which metronidazol induces intolerance to alcohol remains unclear [45]. However, clear advice to abstain from alcohol is warranted when metronidazole or its congeners are prescribed [43].…”

“…A 48-year-old male with severe restlessness, palpitations, facial flushing and sweating, who had taken alcohol almost 2 h after taking ornidazole, was managed with oxygen inhalation, intravenous fluids and oral diazepam for relieving anxiety, with improvement of symptoms improved within 2 h [43].…”