Alcohol withdrawal syndromes in the intensive care unit.

Clonidine in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal in the intensive care unit.

We present two cases of patients with a past history of alcohol abuse admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for treatment of respiratory problems, after multiple trauma and after sub-total colectomy, respectively. In both patients, features of alcohol withdrawal were prominent after sedation had been discontinued. Both were treated successfully with an infusion of clonidine.

Alcohol withdrawal in the critical care unit.

Managing acute alcohol withdrawal in critical care presents a unique challenge to the critical care nurse. The prominence of alcohol use within the Australian community means that many critical care admissions involve acute alcohol withdrawal, an alcohol induced illness, or indeed an unrelated admission with underlying heavy alcohol intake. Current statistics suggest 1 in 5 Australians drink to...

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome: Improving Outcomes Through Early Identification And Aggressive Treatment Strategies.

Alcoholism is a prevalent medical and psychiatric disease, and, consequently, alcohol withdrawal is encountered frequently in the emergency department. This issue reviews the pathophysiology of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome, describes the 4 manifestations of alcohol withdrawal, and looks at the available evidence for optimal treatment of alcohol withdrawal in its diverse presentations. Patien...

Comparing the Efficacy of Methadone and Tincture of Opium in Controlling Agitation Caused by Withdrawal Syndrome in Opium-Addicted Patients in the Intensive Care Unit: A Randomized Trial Study

Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome with and without Dexmedetomidine.

CONTEXT Studies suggest that dexmedetomidine-an intravenous central-acting α2-adrenergic agonist that effectively reduces anxiety among critically ill patients-is being used in patients with severe alcohol withdrawal. However, evidence supporting its use is limited, and it is not approved for this indication. OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of dexmedetomidine on severe alcohol withdrawal sympt...