Increased sympathetic nervous system activity in alcoholic patients treated with disulfiram

The authors measured plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), pulse rates, and blood pressures of 81 hospitalized alcoholic patients. Treatment with 500 mg/day of disulfiram (but not 250 mg/day or placebo) resulted in small but significant increases in plasma NE and in blood pressure. The 500-mg dose did not appreciably inhibit DBH. Patients receiving high doses of disulfiram should have their blood pressure monitored and their dose decreased to 250 mg/day when possible.