Which medication is known to create adverse reactions when consuming alcohol?

Disulfiram is specifically designed to create adverse reactions when alcohol is consumed, and this is a key therapeutic aspect of its use in treating alcohol use disorder. The mechanism of disulfiram involves inhibiting the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which leads to the accumulation of acetaldehyde—the substance that causes unpleasant symptoms when alcohol is ingested. When someone taking disulfiram consumes alcohol, they may experience symptoms such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and general discomfort. This creates a strong aversion to alcohol, thereby aiding in the efforts to maintain sobriety.

In contrast, naltrexone and buprenorphine are primarily used to treat opioid dependence and alcohol dependence without causing adverse reactions related to alcohol consumption. Naltrexone works as an opioid antagonist and can reduce cravings for alcohol but does not lead to negative reactions with alcohol. Buprenorphine is a partial agonist that helps manage opioid addiction and does not interact adversely with alcohol. Naloxone, on the other hand, is an opioid antagonist used primarily in opioid overdose situations, and while it has no adverse interactions with alcohol, it does not play a direct role in treating alcohol dependence.