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disulfiram vs nabilone

Side-by-side comparison of disulfiram and nabilone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

CONCOMITANT DRUG CLINICAL EFFECT(S) Amphetamines, cocaine, other sympathomimetic agents Additive hypertension, tachycardia, possibly cardiotoxicity Atropine, scopolamine, antihistamines, other anticholinergic agents Additive or super-additive tachycardia, drowsiness Amitriptyline, amoxapine, desipramine, other tricyclic antidepressants Additive tachycardia, hypertension, drowsiness Barbiturates, benzodiazepines, ethanol, lithium, opioids, buspirone, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, other CNS depressants Additive drowsiness and CNS depression Disulfiram A reversible hypomanic reaction was...

Recommendation: Watch for sudden signs of mood changes or high energy and contact your doctor immediately if they occur.

Drug Class
disulfiram Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibitor
nabilone Cannabinoid Antiemetic
Type
disulfiram Prescription
nabilone Prescription
Summary
disulfiram

Disulfiram is a medicine that helps people with long-term alcohol problems stay sober. It is meant to be used with counseling and support.

nabilone

Cesamet contains nabilone, a synthetic cannabinoid. It helps reduce nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy when other medicines don't work.

What It Treats
disulfiram

Disulfiram helps manage chronic alcohol problems. It is for people who want to stop drinking. This medicine works best when combined with counseling and support to help you stay sober. It is not a cure for alcoholism.

nabilone

Cesamet is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. You should only use it if other anti-nausea medicines have not worked for you. This medicine can change your mental state, so someone should watch over you when you first start taking it and when your dose changes.

How It Works
disulfiram

Disulfiram blocks the body from breaking down alcohol. If you drink alcohol while taking this medicine, you will feel sick. This helps you avoid drinking alcohol.

nabilone

Cesamet is a synthetic cannabinoid, similar to the active ingredient in marijuana. It works by affecting the parts of your brain that control nausea and vomiting. This helps to reduce these side effects of chemotherapy.

Common Side Effects
disulfiram
  • Mild drowsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Acne
  • Skin rash
nabilone
  • Drowsiness
  • Vertigo (feeling dizzy)
  • Dry mouth
  • Euphoria (feeling "high")
  • Ataxia (loss of coordination)
FAERS Reports
disulfiram
  • Medicine interacting with another medicine 120
  • Tiredness 82
  • Poisoning from different things 63
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 48
  • Feeling confused 47
nabilone
  • Pain 473
  • Muscle and joint stiffness 285
  • Trouble sleeping 265
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 265
  • Drug allergy 254
Serious Warnings
disulfiram

If you take disulfiram and drink alcohol, you may have a very bad reaction. This can cause flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, weakness, blurred vision, confusion, and breathing problems. In severe cases, it can cause seizures, heart problems, and even death.

nabilone

Cesamet can change your mental state. It has a high potential for abuse. Your doctor should watch you for signs of overuse or misuse, especially if you have a history of substance abuse or mental illness.

Pregnancy
disulfiram

It is not known if disulfiram is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not take disulfiram if you are breastfeeding.

nabilone

The effects of Cesamet during pregnancy and breastfeeding are not well known. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

Compare nabilone with

How to Read This disulfiram vs nabilone Comparison

disulfiram is classified in the Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibitor drug class, while nabilone sits within the Cannabinoid Antiemetic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, disulfiram has 360 submissions while nabilone has 1,542. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to using these two drugs together can cause a mood reaction that makes you feel unusually excited, restless, or energetic.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between disulfiram and nabilone - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.