Disulfiram

/daɪˈsʌlfɪræm/ noun

A medication used to treat alcohol use disorder by blocking the enzyme that breaks down alcohol, causing unpleasant symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and flushing when alcohol is consumed. It serves as a deterrent to drinking.

The name comes from 'di-' (two) + 'sulfur' + '-am' (indicating an amine compound), referring to its chemical structure containing two sulfur atoms. Originally discovered in the 1940s when rubber factory workers noticed they became ill when drinking alcohol.

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