Symptom-triggered benzodiazepine therapy for alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the emergency department: a comparison with the standard fixed dose benzodiazepine regimen

Eugene M Cassidy; Iomhar O'Sullivan; Paula Bradshaw; Tariq Islam; Chidozie Onovo

doi:10.1136/emermed-2011-200509

Symptom-triggered benzodiazepine therapy for alcohol withdrawal syndrome in the emergency department: a comparison with the standard fixed dose benzodiazepine regimen

Emerg Med J. 2012 Oct;29(10):802-4. doi: 10.1136/emermed-2011-200509. Epub 2011 Oct 19.

Authors

Eugene M Cassidy¹, Iomhar O'Sullivan, Paula Bradshaw, Tariq Islam, Chidozie Onovo

Affiliation

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland. eugene.cassidy@hse.ie

PMID: 22011975
DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2011-200509

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare symptom-triggered and standard benzodiazepine regimens for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in an emergency department clinical decision unit. The authors found that the symptom-triggered approach reduced cumulative benzodiazepine dose and length of stay.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / drug therapy*
Anti-Anxiety Agents / administration & dosage*
Benzodiazepines / administration & dosage*
Chi-Square Distribution
Drug Administration Schedule
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Female
Humans
Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
Male
Statistics, Nonparametric
Treatment Outcome

Substances

Anti-Anxiety Agents
Benzodiazepines