Abstract | OBJECTIVE:
Delirium tremens represents the most severe complication of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and, in its complications, significantly increases the morbidity and mortality of patients. Alcohol withdrawal delirium is characterized by features of alcohol withdrawal itself ( tremor, sweating, hypertension, tachycardia etc.) together with general delirious symptoms such as clouded consciousness, disorientation, disturbed circadian rhythms, thought processe and sensory disturbances, all of them fluctuating in time. The treatment combines a supportive and symptomatic approach. Benzodiazepines in supramaximal doses are usually used as drugs of choice but in some countries such as the Czech Republic or Germany, clomethiazole is frequently used as well. METHOD: A computer search of the all the literature published between 1966 and December 2012 was accomplished on MEDLINE and Web of Science with the key words " delirium tremens", "alcohol withdrawal", "treatment" and " pharmacotherapy". There were no language or time limits applied. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Barbora Mainerova, Jan Prasko, Klara Latalova, Karel Axmann, Monika Cerna, Rostislav Horacek, Romana Bradacova |
Journal | Biomedical papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky, Olomouc, Czechoslovakia
(Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub)
Vol. 159
Issue 1
Pg. 44-52
(Mar 2015)
ISSN: 1804-7521 [Electronic] Czech Republic |
PMID | 24399242
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Benzodiazepines
(therapeutic use)
- Disease Management
- Humans
- Psychometrics
(methods)
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