Alcohol withdrawal is seen in those who stop or
cut down their drinking abruptly. Symptoms of withdrawal include tremors, nausea and vomiting,
diaphoresis, hyperdynamic vitals, fever, agitation, craving, and anxiety, seizures, hallucinations, and delirium. Symptoms may begin within few hours after
reduction in alcohol consumption.
Delirium tremens is characterised by fluctuating disturbances in consciousness, confusion, agitation,
inattention and impairment in cognition and hallucinations. Patients
are at risk of fluid and metabolic imbalances. High doses of sedatives are required to control agitation. Benzodiazepines are the
initial treatment of choice and those who do not respond to BZDs need phenobarbital, propofol, or haloperidol. However, antipsychotics should be given only after adequate benzodiazepines are
administered.
References:
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ED management
Ruling out the co-existing diagnosis and mimics (hyponatremia, hypoglycemia,
hypomagnesemia, DKA, Wernicke’s encephalopathy,
toxic ingestions, primary seizures, head injury, infection, sepsis)
Alcohol withdrawal seizures are tonic-clonic seizures that occur 6-48 hours after the decrease in intake or
the last drink. Alcohol withdrawal seizures remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Focal seizures should prompt search for another diagnosis. Benzodiazepines
are the drugs of choice for EtOH withdrawal fits. Phenytoin should not be used unless there is an
underlying structural lesion. Lorazepam is typically started at 2mg IV and repeated as needed.
Treatment of concomitant illnesses and providing supportive care (hydration and electrolyte imbalance) is an important part of management. Patients may also need physical restraints until they are quiet and Pabrinex and Mg should be considered for all.
Goals of therapy
Our goal is to reduce autonomic
hyperactivity and agitation. This is achieved mainly through BZDs.
Lorazepam 1mg = Midazolam 2mg = Diazepam 5mg = Chlordiazepoxide 25mg
Lorazepam is well tolerated by patients with advanced liver disease. Clinical
Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol–Revised (CIWA) is a validated (not validated specifically for ED use), structured instrument for guiding continuing treatment once a diagnosis of alcohol withdrawal is established. A score <8 represents mild withdrawal; score of 9 to
15 moderate withdrawal, and score >15 severe withdrawal.
Admission Criteria
- Concomitant other diagnosis
- Suicidal or homicidal ideation
- Advanced age
- Not responding well to ED treatment
- Prior history of delirium tremens
- Alcohol withdrawal seizures
References:
- Rathlev NK, Ulrich AS, Delanty N, D’Onofrio G: Alcohol-related seizures. J Emerg Med 31: 157, 2006.
- Greenberg DM, Lee JW: Psychotic manifestations of alcoholism. Curr Psychiatry Rep 3: 314, 2001.
- Kahan M, Borgundvaag B, Midmer D: Treatment variability and out come differences in emergency department management of alcohol withdrawal. Can J Emerg Med 7: 87, 2005.
- Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol scale. CIWA-Ar available at: http://www.stvincentshospital.ie/documents/CIWA-Ar.pdf. Accessed February 22, 2010.
- D’Onofrio G, Rathlev NK, Ulrich AS, et al: Lorazepam for the prevention of recurrent seizures related to alcohol. N Engl J Med 340: 915, 1999.
- McCowan C, Marik P: Refractory delirium tremens treated with propofol: a case series. Crit Care Med 28: 1781, 2000.
- Kang TM: Propofol infusion syndrome in critically ill patients. Ann Pharmacother 36(9): 1453, 2002.
- Mayo-Smith MF, Beecher LH, Fischer TL, et al; for the Working Group on the Man- agement of Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium, Practice Guidelines Committee, American Society of Addiction Medicine: Management of alcohol withdrawal delirium: an evi- dence-based practice guideline. Arch Intern Med 164: 1405, 2004.
- Kosten TR, O’Connor PG: Management of drug and alcohol withdrawal. N Engl J Med 348: 1786, 2003.
Posted by:
Lakshay Chanana
Speciality Doctor
Northwick Park Hospital
Department of Emergency Medicine
England
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