Phenobarbital in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Abstract

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a serious disorder affecting alcohol-dependent patients who abruptly stop or reduce their drinking. Mild or moderate AWS usually appears within 6 to 24 h after the last drink, and symptoms may include increased blood pressure and rapid pulse, tremors, high fever, irritability, anxiety, headache, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms may progress to a more severe AWS characterized by delirium tremens, seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and death. This article will analyze the phenobarbital (PB) treatment of AWS and make a brief review.

Keywords

alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) / benzodiazepine (BDZ) / phenobarbital (PB)