40347
document
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid versus clomethiazole for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome in a medical intensive care unit : an open , single-center randomized study . BACKGROUND Clomethiazole ( CLO ) has been shown to be effective in treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome ( AWS ) . Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid ( GHB ) has also been introduced in the treatment of alcoholic patients and is effective in surgical intensive care unit ( ICU ) patients in preventing and treating AWS . There are no comparative studies between CLO and GHB in a medical ICU setting . METHODS Twenty-six alcoholic patients with severe AWS and concomitant medical diseases were randomally enrolled in the study . CLO was given orally to 12 patients in a dosage of 250 mg every 4 hours as a liquid ; GHB ( initially 30 mg/kg body weight ( BW ) followed by 15 mg/kg BW ) was administered intravenously to 14 patients . Four major AWS symptoms ( tremor , sweating , nausea , restlessness ) were scored , and the administration of additional medication was registered . RESULTS GHB was more effective in treating AWS symptoms . In the GHB group , AWS score dropped from 6.6 +/- 2.6 to 1.8 +/- 2.1 ( p < .01 ) , while in the CLO group , the score dropped from 6 +/- 2.5 to 4.1 +/- 2.4 ( n. s. ) . Differences between groups were significant ( p =.021 , two-way ANOVA ) . The treatment did not alter outcome or the duration of ICU stay . No serious side effects were detected . CONCLUSION GHB effectively controls AWS symptoms in medical ICU patients . The rapid initial treatment response of GHB in contrast to CLO has no influence on duration of patient withdrawal .
40348
Intervention_Pharmacological
Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
40349
Intervention_Pharmacological
clomethiazole
40350
Intervention_Pharmacological
Clomethiazole ( CLO )
40351
Intervention_Pharmacological
Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid ( GHB )
40352
Intervention_Pharmacological
CLO
40353
Intervention_Pharmacological
GHB
40354
Intervention_Pharmacological
GHB
40355
Intervention_Pharmacological
GHB
40356
Intervention_Pharmacological
GHB
40357
Intervention_Pharmacological
CLO
40358
Intervention_Pharmacological
GHB
40359
Intervention_Pharmacological
CLO
40360
Outcome_Physical
alcohol withdrawal syndrome
40361
Outcome_Physical
treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome ( AWS )
40362
Outcome_Physical
AWS
40363
Outcome_Physical
AWS
40364
Outcome_Physical
AWS symptoms
40365
Outcome_Physical
tremor
40366
Outcome_Physical
sweating
40367
Outcome_Physical
nausea
40368
Outcome_Physical
restlessness
40369
Outcome_Other
additional medication
40370
Outcome_Physical
AWS
40371
Outcome_Other
duration of ICU stay
40372
Outcome_Adverse-effects
No serious side effects
40373
Outcome_Physical
AWS symptoms
40374
Outcome_Physical
duration of patient withdrawal
40375
Participant_Condition
alcohol withdrawal syndrome
40376
Participant_Condition
alcohol withdrawal syndrome ( AWS )
40377
Participant_Sample-size
Twenty-six
40378
Participant_Condition
alcoholic
40379
Participant_Condition
severe AWS and concomitant medical diseases