Enlarged double-blind randomised trial of benzodiazepines against psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide for alcohol withdrawal.
We report a randomised double-blind controlled study with an enlarged cohort of participants (N = 51) using psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN) versus benzodiazepines (BZs) for treating acute alcoholic withdrawal states. An additional 28 participants having received a BZ the night previous to the study were pooled with the previously analysed 23 (with no additional BZ). These pooled results showed that PAN is superior to a BZ regimen at P = .05 level, despite additional BZs. Our work provides further support for previous findings that show that PAN is a safe, rapid, and effective therapy for acute mild to moderately severe withdrawal states.
Gillman
Mark A
MA
South African Brain Research Institute, 6 Campbell Street, Waverley, 2090 Johannesburg. mag@iafrica.com
Lichtigfeld
Frederick J
FJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000431:Ethanol; D009609:Nitrous Oxide; D003975:Diazepam