Case Report
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2006; 12(31): 5078-5080
Published online Aug 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i31.5078
Adverse hepatic reactions associated with calcium carbimide and disulfiram therapy: Is there still a role for these drugs
Carmen Verge, M Isabel Lucena, Enrique López-Torres, M José Puche-García, Enrique Fraga, Manuel Romero-Gomez, Raúl J Andrade
Carmen Verge, M Isabel Lucena, Enrique López-Torres, M José Puche-García, Clinical Pharmacology Service, Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital, School of Medicine, Málaga, Spain
Enrique Fraga, Gastroenterology Service, University Hospital Reina Sofia, Córdoba, Spain
Manuel Romero-Gomez, Gastroenterology Service, University Hospital Virgen de Valme, Sevilla, Spain
Raúl J Andrade, Liver Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Málaga, Spain
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by a research grant from the Agencia Española del Medicamento and a FIS grant, No.041688
Correspondence to: M Isabel Lucena, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Facultad de Medicina, E-29071-Málaga, Spain. lucena@uma.es
Telephone: +34-952-131572
Received: March 6, 2006
Revised: March 20, 2006
Accepted: March 27, 2006
Published online: August 21, 2006
Abstract

Disulfiram and calcium carbimide are two alcohol deterrants widely used in alcoholism treatment, however, there exist great concerns over their safety. Reports on hepatotoxicity, mainly related to disulfiram therapy, have been published. The hepatotoxic potential of calcium carbimide is less well characterized. Here, we describe four cases of liver damage related to this therapeutic group that were submitted to a Registry of hepatotoxicity and point out the limitations that we face when prescribing these compounds. A reassessment of the role of these compounds in the management of alcohol dependence is clearly needed.

Keywords: Calcium carbimide, Disulfiram, Hepatotoxicity