title: Placebo and analgesic nitrous oxide for treatment of the alcohol withdrawal state.
abstract: We present evidence that analgesic (as distinct from anaesthetic) nitrous oxide is superior to placebo in the treatment of the alcohol withdrawal state. 'Carbogen' as a placebo is as effective as oxygen or medical air. However, placebo alone offers a means of treating the alcohol withdrawal state with a minimum of pharmacological intervention. Analgesic nitrous oxide for those not responding to placebo is a very rapid, effective, and extremely safe treatment which also reduces the use of highly addictive sedative pharmacological agents. This therapy also provides a rapid method of screening those patients requiring intensive monitoring and treatment in hospital from those who might benefit from out-patient therapy alone.
authors.affiliation: South African Brain Research Institute, Johannesburg.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gillman
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Lichtigfeld
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C011700:carbogen; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D010100:Oxygen