title: Pharmacokinetic dosing of phenobarbital in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
abstract: We used a pharmacokinetically derived phenobarbital dosing protocol to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome in patients admitted to a family medicine inpatient service. We describe the protocol and include two case reports documenting its efficacy. Although benzodiazepine agents are considered by many to be the primary agents of choice, based upon our experience and its ease of administration, relative safety, therapeutic efficacy, and lower cost, phenobarbital should be reconsidered as a promising alternative. Comparative trials between these two therapeutic classes will clarify their roles in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine University of North Carolina Chapel Hill 27599-7595.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ives
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Gwyther
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001682:Biological Availability; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol; D010634:Phenobarbital