Possible Interaction: Cocaine and Disulfiram

“Since cocaine is a potent catecholamine re-uptake inhibitor, disulfiram may blunt cocaine craving or alter the "high", resulting in a decreased desire to use cocaine.”

“The total … from cocaine … disulfiram versus placebo (mean +/- SD: 7.8 +/- 2.6 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.5, p <.05) and the number of days to achieving ….6 +/- 15.1 vs. 57.8 +/- 7.7, p <.01) of continuous cocaine abstinence was significantly lower in disulfiram compared with placebo.”

“ Disulfiram treatment increased plasma cocaine concentrations three to six times and significantly increased cocaine-associated cardiovascular responses, but did not significantly alter behavioral responses to cocaine.”

“Recent clinical trials, initiated to investigate whether disulfiram could be used to treat individuals who abuse both alcohol and cocaine, have indicated that disulfiram effectively decreases cocaine consumption.”

“ Disulfiram has been shown to reduce cocaine use in several clinical trials, while baclofen, modafinil, naltrexone, ondansetron, tiagabine, and topiramate have shown preliminary efficacy in initial clinical studies.”

“Among dopaminergic agents tested for cocaine pharmacotherapy, disulfiram has decreased cocaine use in a number of studies.”

“Recently, there is some evidence that disulfiram (DSF) might reduce use of cocaine in patients presenting with cocaine dependency.”

“ Disulfiram dose (mg/kg bodyweight) was negatively correlated with number of choices for cocaine (p<0.05).”

“Unexpectedly, disulfiram increased both the number of cocaine and saline infusion choices (p<0.05).”

“We conducted the present study to better understand how disulfiram alters the reinforcing effects of cocaine in cocaine users.”

“ Disulfiram or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic medications can also affect the reinforcement value or effects of cocaine or methamphetamine.”

“ Disulfiram treatments also decreased cocaine clearance for the 0.5 mg/kg cocaine dose (p=0.002 and<0.001).”

“Following cocaine 0.25 mg/kg, 'any high' (p=0.021 and 0.019), 'cocaine high' (p=0.017 and 0.018) and 'rush' (p=0.013 and 0.047) significantly decreased with either disulfiram dose.”