ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Health → Diseases

Alcoholism medication could be “game changer” against HIV

Researchers may have found a much needed weapon against HIV in an unexpected place: alcoholism medication.

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
November 18, 2015
in Diseases, News
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Researchers may have found a much needed weapon against HIV in an unexpected place: alcoholism medication.

Disulfam molecule. Image via Wikipedia.

It’s surprisingly common to find out that a drug with one purpose also works very well for another purpose – such is also the case with disulfam, a drug intended to prevent people from drinking. Disulfam was developed in the 1920s with the goal of fighting chronic alcoholism. It works by inhibiting the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which basically means that the effects of a hangover are felt immediately. If you take the drug and then drink, symptoms will include headache, nausea, chest pain, vomiting, weakness, blurred vision, sweating, and a sense of confusion.

But professor Sharon Lewin from the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne found that disulfam may have another ace up its sleeve: it could help fight HIV.

The most common treatment against HIV is called antiretroviral therapy, or ART. ART uses a cocktail of three or more antiretroviral medication to stop the progression of the virus; however, this is a far cry from a cure. While ART has done massive work in increasing life expectancy for HIV positive people, it doesn’t essentially kill the virus. HIV can still remain dormant in the body, and during this state it’s basically impossible to eliminate. This is where disulfam steps in.

The drug was given to 30 people infected with dormant HIV, and it successfully managed to stir the virus up, making it detectable. This is only the first step, and doesn’t actually kill the virus, but making it detectable and targetable with treatment. Now, there are other ways to do this, but they are toxic, and generally harm other healthy cells of the body. Disulfam is completely safe… you just can’t drink. According to Professor Lewin:

“This trial clearly demonstrates that disulfiram is not toxic and is safe to use, and could quite possibly be the game changer we need.”

Julian Elliott of the department of infectious diseases at the Alfred hospital in Melbourne, who worked with Lewin stressed that while the results are encouraging, it’s only the first step – the next step is to eliminate the virus.

Journal Reference: Elliott et al – Short-term administration of disulfiram for reversal of latent HIV infection: a phase 2 dose-escalation study

RelatedPosts

China brings in hi-tech methods to take care of its pandas
The 8 coolest ways the Earth might be destroyed
Herd immunity against COVID-19 won’t happen for a long time — and it’s dangerous to think otherwise
Scientists Used Lasers To Finally Explain How Tiny Dunes Form — And This Might Hold Clues to Other Worlds

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

News

Coolness Isn’t About Looks or Money. It’s About These Six Things, According to Science

byTibi Puiu
16 hours ago
Archaeology

Ancient Roman Pompeii had way more erotic art than you’d think

byMihai Andrei
17 hours ago
Animals

Wild Orcas Are Offering Fish to Humans and Scientists Say They May Be Trying to Bond with Us

byTibi Puiu
17 hours ago
Clumps of gold recovered from a mine placed on a wooden table.
Chemistry

No Mercury, No Cyanide: This is the Safest and Greenest Way to Recover Gold from E-waste

byRupendra Brahambhatt
19 hours ago

Recent news

Coolness Isn’t About Looks or Money. It’s About These Six Things, According to Science

July 1, 2025

Ancient Roman Pompeii had way more erotic art than you’d think

July 1, 2025

Wild Orcas Are Offering Fish to Humans and Scientists Say They May Be Trying to Bond with Us

July 1, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.