Alcohol Withdrawal Flashcards
1
Q
What are the clinical features of alcohol withdrawal?
A
Symptoms starting at 6-12 hours - sweating tachycardia, anxiety
up to 36 hours - seizures
up to 48-72 hours - coarse tremor, confusion, delusions, auditory/visual hallucinations, fever, tachycardia
2
Q
How is alcohol withdrawal managed?
A
Complex - admit to hospital until stable
First-line - long-acting benzo (chlordiazepoxide or diazepam) (lorazepam in patients with hepatic failure) (give in reducing dose protocol)
Carbamazepine is also effective
Phenytoin is NOT effective in treating the seizures
