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Disulfiram for Retinal Degeneration and Alcohol Use Disorder

This study is looking at how disulfiram (Antabuse®), a medication used for alcohol use disorder, might affect vision in people with certain eye conditions. These conditions include retinal dystrophies, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and Stargardt disease. Researchers want to see if taking 250 mg of disulfiram by mouth each day can improve your vision. This is being measured by checking your best corrected visual acuity (how well you see with glasses or contacts) over about six months. You might be able to join if you are 18 or older, speak English, are in good general health, and have one of these retinal conditions along with alcohol use disorder. The study plans to enroll 15 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It plans to enroll 15 participants.
What's involved
Participants will take oral disulfiram (Antabuse®) 250 mg daily. Vision will be assessed at the start of the study and again at day 180.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants' vision will be followed for 180 days after starting the treatment.

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NCT06319872

The Effects of Disulfiram (Antabuse®) on Visual Acuity in Patients With Retinal Degeneration

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Rochester
~15 participants
Updated 2025-09-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Oral disulfiram

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
mean change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) score assessed by ETDRS
Measured over baseline to day 180

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder
Retinal Dystrophies
Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Retinitis Pigmentosa
Stargardt Disease

Explore related trials

Age-Related Macular DegenerationAlcohol use disorderRetinitis PigmentosaStargardt Disease

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New York1

Who to contact

Evan Burr
[email protected]
585- 275-5234
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

All sexes, 18 years and older.
Participants must speak English, understand, and sign the informed consent document.
Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study.
In good general health as evidenced by medical history and with a clinical diagnosis of inherited retinal dystrophy or dry-AMD.
Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 (with constriction or other defects of Goldmann visual field) to Light Perception in the better eye.
Intact inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform, and ganglion cell layer on macular SD-OCT.
Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to the disulfiram regimen.
Patients must have the diagnosis of alcohol use disorder provided by an addiction specialist and be a candidate for therapeutic use of disulfiram for that condition.
Patients must agree to refrain from all alcohol consumption for 180 days.
Any female participant of childbearing potential must have a negative urine pregnancy test at screening.
Any female participant of childbearing potential must have (or have a partner who has) had a surgical sterilization (vasectomy, hysterectomy, or tubal ligation), be completely abstinent from intercourse or must agree to practice two acceptable methods of contraception throughout the course of the study and for at least one week after disulfiram discontinuation. Acceptable methods of contraception include hormonal contraception (i.e., birth control pills, injected hormones, dermal patch, or vaginal ring); intrauterine device; barrier methods (diaphragm, condom) with spermicide.

Exclusion

A condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would preclude participation in the study, e.g., cardiovascular disease, hepatitis.
Individuals with a history of diabetes mellitus.
Individuals with a history of psychosis.
Individuals with hypothyroidism.
Individuals with hypersensitivity to thiuram derivatives causing rubber contact dermatitis.
Those on anticoagulant therapy or other medications that may be affected by disulfiram.
Ophthalmic conditions with independent effect upon visual function (e.g. diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, active intraocular inflammation or active infectious ocular diseases, choroidal neovascularization).
Patients with No Light Perception (NLP) in both eyes.
History of major ocular surgery within the prior 6 months or major ocular surgery anticipated within the next 6 months following randomization.
Exam evidence of severe external ocular infection, including conjunctivitis, chalazion, or substantial blepharitis
Participation in an investigational trial that involves treatment with any drug within 30 days of randomization that has not received regulatory approval at the time of study entry. Note: study participants cannot receive another investigational drug while participating in this study.
Known allergy or hypersensitivity to any component of the study drug.
For women of child-bearing potential: pregnant or lactating or intending to become pregnant within the next 12 months.
Participants who expect to move out of the area of the clinical center during the 8 months of the study

What this trial measures

  • mean change in Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) score assessed by ETDRSbaseline to day 180

    Visual acuity testing will be performed by Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) visual acuity with refractive correction when indicated under photopic and mesopic conditions. The test will be performed by an ophthalmic technician and will be used for research purpose only. The right eye should be tested first. When it becomes evident that no further meaningful readings can be made, the examiner should stop the test. The final visual acuity should be noted. Visual acuity is a range from 20/20 to Light Perception, where 20/20 is considered the normal best visual acuity measurement.