Effects of Disulfiram and Pyridoxine on Serum Cholesterol

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Abstract
Disulfiram, 500 mg/day, raised serum cholesterol levels in alcoholic persons from a mean of 193 .+-. 16.4 mg/dl to 227.2 .+-. 17.2 mg/dl after 3 wk and 264 .+-. 40 mg/dl after 6 wk. This increase was not seen in a group taking pyridoxine 50 mg/day in addition to disulfiram 500 mg/day. Control groups receiving pyridoxine alone, or no drug, had a 33 mg/dl reduction in serum cholesterol during the first 3 wk of abstinence, a finding consistent with other evidence showing a rapid decrease in serum lipids on abstinence from alcohol. Patients taking disulfiram 250 mg/day, with or without pyridoxine, did not have this expected decrease in serum cholesterol. Chronic disulfiram may increase the incidence of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Disulfiram (Antabuse) has been used in the treatment of alcoholism since the late 1940s.

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