Question:
Which of the following drugs is used in alcohol de-addiction (aversion therapy)?
Which of the following drugs is used in alcohol de-addiction (aversion therapy)?
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This drug inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing an unpleasant reaction when alcohol is consumed.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
- Disulfiram
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- Buprenorphine
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identify drugs used in alcohol de-addiction.
There are several pharmacological approaches to alcohol dependence treatment:
Step 2: Mechanism of Disulfiram.
Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde to acetate in ethanol metabolism. When alcohol is consumed after taking disulfiram, acetaldehyde accumulates in the blood, causing the disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER):
Step 3: Drugs that cause disulfiram-like reaction.
Metronidazole, tinidazole, cefoperazone, cefamandole, chlorpropamide -- these inhibit ALDH and produce similar reactions with alcohol.
Step 4: Eliminate distractors.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used in opioid overdose (not alcohol de-addiction). Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist. Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist used in opioid dependence.
Answer: Disulfiram
There are several pharmacological approaches to alcohol dependence treatment:
- Aversion therapy: Disulfiram (Antabuse)
- Anti-craving / relapse prevention: Naltrexone (opioid receptor antagonist), Acamprosate (GABA/NMDA modulator)
- Acute withdrawal: Benzodiazepines (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide), Clonidine
Step 2: Mechanism of Disulfiram.
Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde to acetate in ethanol metabolism. When alcohol is consumed after taking disulfiram, acetaldehyde accumulates in the blood, causing the disulfiram-ethanol reaction (DER):
- Flushing
- Throbbing headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Palpitations, hypotension
- Severe cases: arrhythmias, respiratory depression, death
Step 3: Drugs that cause disulfiram-like reaction.
Metronidazole, tinidazole, cefoperazone, cefamandole, chlorpropamide -- these inhibit ALDH and produce similar reactions with alcohol.
Step 4: Eliminate distractors.
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used in opioid overdose (not alcohol de-addiction). Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist. Buprenorphine is an opioid partial agonist used in opioid dependence.
Answer: Disulfiram
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