title: [Benzodiazepines should still be first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal].
abstract: In this review, we summarize the evidence for benzodiazepines and barbiturates as alcohol withdrawal treatment and outline a treatment guideline. A number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) indicate that benzodiazepine treatment decreases alcohol withdrawal seizures and is safe. For barbiturates, only a few RCTs have been undertaken, and barbiturates were not found to be superior to benzodiazepines. Consequently, we suggest that benzodiazepines should still be first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal.
authors.affiliation: gask@dadlnet.dk.
authors.forename: Gro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Askgaard
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pottegård
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fink-Jensen
mesh_terms: D000430:Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy; D020270:Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D001463:Barbiturates; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide; D010634:Phenobarbital