Which detoxification regimens are effective for alcohol withdrawal syndrome?

Abstract

BENZODIAZEPINES REMAIN THE FIRST-LINE REGIMEN FOR ALCOHOL WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME (AWS) AND ARE THE ONLY CLASS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PLACEBO FOR REDUCING SEIZURE (STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION [SOR]: B, BASED ON 3 MEDIUM-QUALITY RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS [RCTS]). ANTICONVULSANTS ARE NO MORE EFFECTIVE THAN PLACEBO AT REDUCING SEIZURES (SOR: B, BASED ON 10 MODERATE-QUALITY RCTS). GABAPENTIN REDUCES WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS AND IS LESS SEDATING THAN BENZODIAZEPINES (SOR: B, BASED ON 1 MEDIUM-QUALITY RCT). CARBAMAZEPINE ALSO REDUCES WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS (SOR: B, BASED ON 3 RCTS). EVIDENCE OF BENZODIAZEPINE SUPERIORITY TO OTHER DRUGS WITH RESPECT TO SAFETY IS LACKING (SOR: A, BASED ON A META-ANALYSIS).