Abstract
In a study of the specificity of the iodine-azide reaction in carbon disulfide (CS2) exposure, iodine-azide reaction and dithiocarb (sodium diethyidithiocarbamate) in the urine of alcoholics treated with disulfiram (tetraethylthiuram disulfide) were determined.
After application of disulfiram, the iodine-azide reaction was negative 40% of the time, but some dithiocarb is always present in urine. Therefore, dithiocarb determination could be used to measure the patient’s discipline.
The great dispersion of dithiocarb results is discussed as a possible influence of pathologic condition and compared with other drugs, especially, meprobamate.
The application of meprobamate increased the percentage of positive iodine-azide reaction in disulfiram, treated alcoholics, but dispersion of dithiocarb results was the same as in alcoholics not using meprobamate.
The iodine-azide test (IAT) does not provide a satisfactory index of exposure in individuals taking disulfiram for alcoholism.