What causes hangover-like symptoms when drinking while taking disulfiram?

What causes hangover-like symptoms when drinking while taking disulfiram?

• A. Accumulation of acetaldehyde
• B. Direct glutamate excitotoxicity
• C. Acetate depletion
• D. Increased NAD+

Answer: (A)

When disulfiram is taken, drinking alcohol triggers hangover-like symptoms because disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme that normally converts acetaldehyde into acetate. With ALDH blocked, acetaldehyde accumulates in the blood. This toxic buildup causes the characteristic reaction: facial flushing, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and overall malaise. The other ideas don’t explain this immediate, acetaldehyde-driven response—acetate isn’t driving the symptoms, glutamate excitotoxicity isn’t the typical mechanism here, and an increase in NAD+ doesn’t account for the specific disulfiram-alcohol reaction.

When disulfiram is taken, drinking alcohol triggers hangover-like symptoms because disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme that normally converts acetaldehyde into acetate. With ALDH blocked, acetaldehyde accumulates in the blood. This toxic buildup causes the characteristic reaction: facial flushing, rapid heart rate, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and overall malaise. The other ideas don’t explain this immediate, acetaldehyde-driven response—acetate isn’t driving the symptoms, glutamate excitotoxicity isn’t the typical mechanism here, and an increase in NAD+ doesn’t account for the specific disulfiram-alcohol reaction.