IV Alcohol in Prevention of Delirium Tremens

Implementing managed alcohol programs in hospital settings: A review of academic and grey literature

“…Four described experiences with one or several hospital patients where alcohol administration to treat AWS was successful and one where it was not . Alcohol was administered intravenously , orally , both intravenously and orally , and via inhalation . All studies highlighted the lack of scientific data validating the therapeutic use of alcohol and supported further inquiries into its appropriate usage.…”

Intravenous Ethanol for the Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in Critically Ill Patients

“…Perhaps because of the nature of the cases that clinicians choose to submit and journals decide to publish, these reports consist almost entirely of patients in whom intravenous ethanol use was considered highly successful and who had no serious complications. [21][22][23] In addition to difficulties in interpreting the available evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of intravenous ethanol, there are a number of practical challenges. Of major concern is that the studies and cases published to date have focused almost exclusively on surgical patients who are critically ill, which raises the question of how this drug should be used in patients with primarily medical illnesses.…”

“…The cases of an additional two surgical patients treated with intravenous ethanol were described in 1990. 23 Both patients were men with a history of heavy alcohol consumption. Both developed alcohol withdrawal syndrome postoperatively and were treated initially with intramuscular chlordiazepoxide (a single dose of 75 mg in one and 50 mg every 6 hours for an unreported duration in the other).…”

“…ethanol i.v. ethanol failed to prevent observational expired air (dosages determined symptomatic AWS in 13 (41%) by patients' daily patients; 10 (77%) of the 13 patients alcohol consumption) had progression to major medical complications 11 20 Prospective, Yes 30-299-g bolus dose of Prevention of AWS in 10 (91%) of observational 96% ethanol, then 11 patients; the eleventh patient 30-299 g/day x 1-9 days required dosage increases over a 7-day period; no complications due to ethanol substitution 1 21 Case report None documented Chlorpromazine added Vital signs normalized after ethanol to 5% ethanol treatment; no complications 6 22 Retrospective None documented Ethanol added to All patients had delirium tremens; case series chlorpromazine none received ethanol prophylaxis; no deaths 2 23 Case report None documented 5% ethanol in D 5 W Rapid symptom control achieved; at 50-75 ml/hr no complications AWS = alcohol withdrawal syndrome; D 5 W = 5% dextrose in water; ICU = intensive care unit. these patients.…”