[Modifications of disulfiram and its metabolites in blood in alcoholic hepatopathy (author's transl)].

In cirrhotic, steatosic and healthy subjects, the authors studied the metabolism of disulfiram (TETD) administrated orally (500 mg) 3 consecutive days. Carbon disulfide (CS2) and the whole TETD, diethyl dithiocarbamate (DDC) disulfides, were determined by a gas chromatographic method. The evolution of metabolites is similar in steatosic and healthy subjects. In cirrhotics the CS2, DDC and disulfides level increase within the 3 days. This phenomenon may be related with hepatic toxicity of TETD and with the persistence of disulfiram-alcohol reaction. The authors suggest to use low doses of disulfiram in cirrhotic.