What should a patient on Antabuse avoid using on their skin?

Patients taking Antabuse, also known as disulfiram, are advised to avoid any products that contain alcohol, as even small amounts can trigger a severe reaction known as the disulfiram-alcohol reaction. This reaction can lead to symptoms such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, and hypotension. Alcohol prep pads contain alcohol, and using them on the skin can lead to absorption through the skin, potentially causing an adverse reaction in someone who is taking Antabuse.

In contrast, regular lotion, moisturizing cream, and sunblock typically do not contain significant amounts of alcohol and are generally considered safe for use by patients on Antabuse. Thus, the primary concern for a patient on Antabuse is to strictly avoid any topical or transdermal exposure to alcohol-containing products, making the recommendation to avoid alcohol prep pads particularly important.