When to use an anticonvulsant to treat alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal is an uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening condition that must be treated before patients can achieve sobriety. Benzodiazepines remain the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal; however, these agents could:

• exacerbate agitation
• interact adversely with other medications, particularly opioids
• be unsafe for outpatients at risk of drinking again.
  

Off-label use of anticonvulsants could reduce these risks. In our emergency department, we routinely use these agents as monotherapy for patients discharging to outpatient detoxification or as adjunctive treatment for patients who require admission for severe withdrawal (Table^1,2).

Gabapentin is safe for patients with liver disease and has few drug–drug interactions.¹ Dosages of at least 1,200 mg/d seems to be comparable to lorazepam for alcohol withdrawal and could help prevent relapse after the withdrawal period.¹ Many patients report that gabapentin helps them sleep. Gabapentin could cause gastrointestinal upset or slight dizziness; patients with severe renal disease might require dosage adjustments.

Carbamazepine. In a randomized double-blind trial, carbamazepine was superior to lorazepam in preventing rebound withdrawal symptoms and reducing post-treatment drinking, although both agents were effective in decreasing withdrawal symptoms.² Avoid this agent in patients with serum liver enzymes 3 times higher than normal values, renal disease, neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia. Drug–drug interactions typically are not of concern unless a patient takes carbamazepine for several weeks.

Divalproex with as-needed benzodiazepines reduces the duration of withdrawal and risk of medical complications.³ Avoid using divalproex in patients with thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, or severe liver disease.

Alcohol withdrawal is an uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening condition that must be treated before patients can achieve sobriety. Benzodiazepines remain the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal; however, these agents could:

• exacerbate agitation
• interact adversely with other medications, particularly opioids
• be unsafe for outpatients at risk of drinking again.
  

Off-label use of anticonvulsants could reduce these risks. In our emergency department, we routinely use these agents as monotherapy for patients discharging to outpatient detoxification or as adjunctive treatment for patients who require admission for severe withdrawal (Table^1,2).

Gabapentin is safe for patients with liver disease and has few drug–drug interactions.¹ Dosages of at least 1,200 mg/d seems to be comparable to lorazepam for alcohol withdrawal and could help prevent relapse after the withdrawal period.¹ Many patients report that gabapentin helps them sleep. Gabapentin could cause gastrointestinal upset or slight dizziness; patients with severe renal disease might require dosage adjustments.

Carbamazepine. In a randomized double-blind trial, carbamazepine was superior to lorazepam in preventing rebound withdrawal symptoms and reducing post-treatment drinking, although both agents were effective in decreasing withdrawal symptoms.² Avoid this agent in patients with serum liver enzymes 3 times higher than normal values, renal disease, neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia. Drug–drug interactions typically are not of concern unless a patient takes carbamazepine for several weeks.

Divalproex with as-needed benzodiazepines reduces the duration of withdrawal and risk of medical complications.³ Avoid using divalproex in patients with thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, or severe liver disease.

Alcohol withdrawal is an uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening condition that must be treated before patients can achieve sobriety. Benzodiazepines remain the first-line treatment for alcohol withdrawal; however, these agents could:

• exacerbate agitation
• interact adversely with other medications, particularly opioids
• be unsafe for outpatients at risk of drinking again.
  

Off-label use of anticonvulsants could reduce these risks. In our emergency department, we routinely use these agents as monotherapy for patients discharging to outpatient detoxification or as adjunctive treatment for patients who require admission for severe withdrawal (Table^1,2).

Gabapentin is safe for patients with liver disease and has few drug–drug interactions.¹ Dosages of at least 1,200 mg/d seems to be comparable to lorazepam for alcohol withdrawal and could help prevent relapse after the withdrawal period.¹ Many patients report that gabapentin helps them sleep. Gabapentin could cause gastrointestinal upset or slight dizziness; patients with severe renal disease might require dosage adjustments.

Carbamazepine. In a randomized double-blind trial, carbamazepine was superior to lorazepam in preventing rebound withdrawal symptoms and reducing post-treatment drinking, although both agents were effective in decreasing withdrawal symptoms.² Avoid this agent in patients with serum liver enzymes 3 times higher than normal values, renal disease, neuropathy, thrombocytopenia, or leukopenia. Drug–drug interactions typically are not of concern unless a patient takes carbamazepine for several weeks.

Divalproex with as-needed benzodiazepines reduces the duration of withdrawal and risk of medical complications.³ Avoid using divalproex in patients with thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, or severe liver disease.