AI Article Synopsis
- Acute alcohol withdrawal is common in hospitalized patients and can lead to severe health issues, but effective drug therapy can greatly reduce these risks.
- Understanding the underlying mechanisms and how different medications work is crucial for effective treatment, targeting the neurotransmitter imbalances involved.
- First-line treatments include GABA agonists like benzodiazepines and barbiturates, while other medications can be used as supplementary options for specific symptoms.
Article Abstract
Acute alcohol withdrawal is a frequent medical condition among hospitalized patients. Severe forms are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which can be sharply reduced with proper drug therapy. A good understanding of the pathophysiology as well as the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of the various drug used is paramount. The medications must target the imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter systems responsible for the clinical picture. Proper drug therapy allows not only rapid symptomatic relief but also limit disease progression and complications while diminishing resource use, notably invasive ventilation and stay duration in the intensive care unit. GABA agonist drugs are the first line treatment, notably benzodiazepines and barbiturates. Other class, such as alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonists may be used to control the dysautonomic features of the disease but are at best adjunctive.
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