Sodium benzoate in the treatment of acute hepatic encephalopathy: a double-blind randomized trial.

A prospective randomized double-blind study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of sodium benzoate in the treatment of acute portal-systemic encephalopathy. Seventy-four consecutive patients with cirrhosis or surgical portasystemic anastomosis and hepatic encephalopathy of less than 7 days duration were randomized to receive lactulose (dose adjusted for 2 or 3 semiformed stools/day) or sodium benzoate (5 gm twice daily). Assessment of response included mental status, asterixis, arterial ammonia level, electroencephalogram and number-connection test.