Hazards associated with the use of benzodiazepines in alcohol detoxification.
While benzodiazepines possess many positive attributes for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, they are not ideal drugs. The occurrence of toxic effects is not infrequent, and unless recognized promptly, toxicity may significantly impact treatment and length of stay. Use of shorter acting benzodiazepines may result in seizure activity under certain conditions of withdrawal.
Hill
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A
Department of Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation, Marlborough Hospital, Massachusetts 01752.
Williams
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D000431:Ethanol / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010076:Oxazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000431:Ethanol; D010076:Oxazepam; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide