The Metabolism of Tetraethyl Thiuramdisulphide (Antabus, Aversan) in Man, Investigated by Means of Radioactive Sulphur

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Abstract
90% of the ingested Antabus is absorbed from the intestinal tract, 10% excreted with the feces. The greater part of the Antabus S is oxidized in the organism and excreted in the urine as sulfate, partly free and partly esterified. Small amts. of Antabus are also recovered from the urine as unchanged and as reduced Antabus. Approx. 20% of the absorbed Antabus S still remains within the organism after a 6-day period. The blood plasma Antabus S exists almost exclusively in the form of unchanged Antabus and reduced Antabus. Six hrs. after the ingestion 1/3 of the Antabus found in the plasma exists in the reduced form. There is a slow decrease in the plasma concn. during the following 6 days. The desirable plasma concn. in patients is estimated to be 0.5-1 mg. Antabus or reduced Antabus/100 ml. of plasma. Neither Antabus nor reduced Antabus could be recovered from the red cells. It is suggested that reduced Antabus and not Antabus itself is responsible for the effect on the metabolism of ethanol. The delayed elimination of Antabus strongly indicates the need for a revised dosage; either the daily dose should be reduced, or the drug should be administered for periods only.