Which alcohol cessation medication inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase?

Disulfiram is the medication that inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, which is a key enzyme involved in the metabolism of alcohol. When an individual consumes alcohol while on disulfiram, the inhibition of this enzyme leads to an accumulation of acetaldehyde, a toxic metabolite. This causes unpleasant reactions such as flushing, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations, collectively known as the disulfiram-alcohol reaction.

The purpose of disulfiram is to deter alcohol consumption by creating these aversive effects. Its use in alcohol cessation is based on this mechanism of action, making it a unique option among cessation treatments. Other medications mentioned in the choices work through different mechanisms; for instance, naltrexone reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol, acamprosate stabilizes chemical signaling in the brain that may be disrupted by alcohol dependence, and baclofen is primarily a muscle relaxant that has been explored for alcohol dependence but does not inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase.