[Disulfiram implants. Lack of pharmacological and clinical effects].

The therapeutic rationale for using implanted disulfiram is possible inhibition of the liver enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, producing an acetaldehyde-mediated aversive reaction after intake of ethanol. Several studies using volunteers and patients in a double blind controlled study produced no evidence that a disulfiram implant (1 g) has any significant pharmacological or clinical action, except for a higher frequency of local surgical complications.