disulfiram

noun

di·​sul·​fi·​ram dī-ˈsəl-fə-ˌram How to pronounce disulfiram (audio)
: a compound C10H20N2S4 that causes a severe physiological reaction to alcohol and is used especially in the treatment of alcoholism

Examples of disulfiram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 1937, a rubber plant physician observed that workers exposed to disulfiram displayed adverse reactions to alcohol, including nausea, vomiting and tachycardia – meaning fast heart rate. Joseph P. Schacht, The Conversation, 20 May 2024 Subsequent research determined that disulfiram inhibits alcohol metabolism, leading to the accumulation of acetaldehyde. Joseph P. Schacht, The Conversation, 20 May 2024 The oldest and best known of these medications is disulfiram – sold under the brand name Antabuse – a compound that was first used in the American rubber industry. Joseph P. Schacht, The Conversation, 20 May 2024 The same principle underlies the use of the medication disulfiram as a treatment for alcohol abuse. Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2019 In the 1940s, doctors explored whether disulfiram was useful as a treatment for alcohol abuse. Richard Klasco, New York Times, 15 June 2018 Around this time, manufacturers began using a chemical known as disulfiram to accelerate the vulcanization of rubber. Richard Klasco, New York Times, 15 June 2018 Another study looked at substance abuse treatment programs across the country and found that fewer than 20 percent sustained their use of medications including naltrexone or disulfiram. Nathaniel Morris, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2017 In his clinical practice, he’d occasionally prescribed Antabuse (disulfiram) to patients who struggled with alcohol addiction. Emily Anthes, Bloomberg.com, 3 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

disulfide + thiourea + amyl

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of disulfiram was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near disulfiram

Cite this Entry

“Disulfiram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disulfiram. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

disulfiram

noun
di·​sul·​fi·​ram
variants or chiefly British disulphiram
: a compound C10H20N2S4 that causes a severe physiological reaction to alcohol and is used especially in the treatment of alcoholism

called also tetraethylthiuram disulfide

see antabuse

More from Merriam-Webster on disulfiram

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!