Disulfiram-induced acetonemia in the rat and man.

Disulfiram treatment caused marked elevations of circulating blood acetone levels in rat and man. In the rat, disulfiram (0.59 g/kg, p.o.) given singly or for three consecutive days increased the fasting blood acetone levels 5- and 25-fold, fespectively. Circulating acetone levels were also estimated noninvasively in man by measuring acetone in the expired air. A 15-fold increase in the expired air acetone levels was observed in a group of five male non-fasting subjects taking disulfiram (250 mg daily) for a minimum of one month, when compared to control subjects.