Which medication is known to cause adverse reactions when alcohol is consumed?

Prepare for the PAEA Emergency Medicine End-of-Rotation Test. Study using flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Disulfiram, commonly known as Antabuse, is specifically designed to induce adverse reactions when alcohol is consumed. This medication works by inhibiting the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for metabolizing acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism. When a person taking disulfiram consumes alcohol, they experience unpleasant reactions such as flushing, palpitations, sweating, nausea, and vomiting. These reactions serve as a deterrent against alcohol consumption and are integral to the medication's role in treating chronic alcoholism.

Other options, while they may have their own side effects and interactions, do not have the same intended mechanism of discouraging alcohol use or inducing adverse reactions specifically related to alcohol consumption. Thus, disulfiram stands out as the medication that utilizes this mechanism for therapeutic benefit in alcohol use disorders.

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