How long does Antabuse stay in your system?

Antabuse, which is a medication used to treat chronic alcoholism, can stay in a person's system for up to 12 hours, according to Recovery.org. If alcohol is consumed while Antabuse is still in a person's system, unpleasant side effects occur.

Side effects of Antabuse include vertigo, changes in heart rate, persistent thirst, flushed cheeks, changes in blood pressure, aches and pains, and nausea, as noted by Drugs.com. When large amounts of alcohol are used with Antabuse, the reaction can be life-threatening and requires emergency medical care. Antabuse should only be taken exactly as directed under the supervision of a doctor.