Rapid screening of alcohol deterrent drug “Disulfiram” using Thin Layer Chromatography

Disulfiram is presently the only available drug used in the aversion therapy of recovering alcoholics. It acts by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase, leading to high blood levels of acetaldehyde. A thin layer chromatographic methodology to detect and identify disulfiram has been proposed. The detection and identification of disulfiram was done on the basis of Rf values firstly by locating them under UV light followed by chemical treatment involving development of color substances. The efforts were for the development of reliable method for screening of disulfiram in various formulations.