Disulfiram is a carbamate derivative used as an alcohol deterrent. It is a relatively nontoxic substance when administered alone, but markedly alters the intermediary metabolism of alcohol. Disulfiram blocks the oxidation of alcohol at the acetaldehyde stage during alcohol metabolism following disulfiram intake causing an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood producing highly unpleasant symptoms. Disulfiram blocks the oxidation of alcohol through its irreversible inactivation of aldehyde dehydrogenase, which acts in the second step of ethanol utilization. In addition, disulfiram competitively binds and inhibits the peripheral benzodiazepine receptor, which may indicate some value in the treatment of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, however this activity has not been extensively studied. Used for the treatment and management of chronic alcoholism.

Ditiocarb, the sodium salt of diethyldithiocarbamate, is a drug with strong antioxidant capacity and chelating activities. It improves the depressed immune responses of newborn and aged mice and mice that are treated with chemotherapy or irradiation. Ditiocarb prevents cisplatin nephrotoxicity in animals without reducing the drug's antitumor activity. Ditiocarb has therapeutic activity in the LP-BM5 murine retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency disease. In that AIDS model, it reduces lymphadenopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia, restores immunocompetence, and prolongs survival. Ditiocarb was safe and reduced the incidence of opportunistic infections in patients with symptomatic HIV infection but ditiocarb had no positive effect on HIV patients. The administration of ditiocarb did not induce any major adverse clinical or biological reactions. Sixty-four patients with nonmetastatic high-risk breast cancer were randomized in a double-blind trial of adjuvant immunotherapy with sodium ditiocarb (DDC) versus placebo. At 6 years, overall survival was 81% in DDC group versus 55%.