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[Disulfiram-induced delirium: a case report]
Tatsuya Iwashige1, Morikazu Shibasaki
1Shiga Prefectural Mental Health Medical Center, 8-4-25 Kasayama, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-0072, Japan.
Nihon Arukoru Yakubutsu Igakkai Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Alcohol Studies & Drug Dependence
|February 23, 2007
Summary
Disulfiram, an alcohol dependence treatment, can cause delirium. This case study highlights delirium symptoms in a patient treated with disulfiram, which resolved after medication cessation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Disulfiram is a medication used to treat alcohol dependence.
- Disulfiram-induced psychosis is occasionally reported in Europe and North America.
- Disulfiram is less frequently used in Japan compared to cyanamide for alcohol dependence treatment.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old male alcoholic patient developed delirium.
- Symptoms included memory impairment, disorientation, impaired judgment, and delusion.
- Disulfiram 200 mg/day was administered one month prior to the onset of delirium.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of disulfiram led to the resolution of delirium symptoms.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities, specifically diffuse slowing, also resolved after disulfiram cessation.
- This case suggests a link between disulfiram use and delirium.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for disulfiram to cause delirium, especially in patients with a history of alcoholism.
- Early recognition and discontinuation of disulfiram may be crucial for managing disulfiram-induced delirium.
- Further research may be warranted to understand the mechanisms underlying disulfiram-induced neuropsychiatric effects.
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