EXAM 4 Alcohol Use disorder Dr. Flores Flashcards
How long does alcohol withdrawal last?
3-5 days
it peaks after 1-2 days
What are the alcohol withdrawal symptoms?
6-12hr: Flu-like symptoms: headache, and more
12-24hr: Hallucinations
24-48hr: Withdrawal seizures
48-96hr: Delirium tremens
Hyperthermia
-also seen Wernicke’s encephalopathy (confusion state, eye movement changes, and loss of movement control)
-Korsakoff’s psychosis: memory loss, learning deficits -> from one or more episodes of Wernicke’s
How is Alcohol withdrawal treated?
Alcohol withdrawal is life-threatening because of the Delirium and Hypothermia
-patients die from autonomic and CNS hyperactivity
-Benzodiazepine is the standard of care
When should a patient be treated inpatient for withdrawal of alcohol/BZD?
-unable to stop drinking alcohol/taking BZD
-failed prior attempts of withdrawal
-pregnant
-can’t tolerate oral meds (need IV)
-psychiatric conditions (suicide)
-seizure disorder, head injury, epilepsy
-CV disease, liver disease, renal impairment, COPD
-using multiple substances or concurrent withdrawal from multiple substances
-severe withdrawal symptoms in the past (seizure, delirium)
-at risk for severe withdrawal symptoms (CIWA >19)
-lack of housing, transportation or social support
When does an outpatient consider to be switch to inpatient?
-when they develop severe tremor or agitation that doesn’t get better with multiple doses of meds
-severe symptoms: hallucination, seizures, confusion
-unstable vital signs
-over sedation if they use alcohol again
What is the screening tool PAWSS used for?
predicting alcohol withdrawal severity
> 4 indicates high risk for moderate to severe withdrawal
What is the screening tool CIWA-Ar used for?
assess withdrawal severity and guide ongoing treatment
-done every 1-2 hr -> adjust treatment based on the score
score over 10 -> need medication for withdrawal
>15 (severe withdrawal) = increased risk for seizures and delirium tremens
>35: consider transfer to critical care, since a high dose of BZD is needed to control symptoms; respiratory distress risk
max score is 67
What is the treatment approach for outpatient treatment?
fixed scheduled and daily reassessment
for inpatient, it is a more symptom-triggered approach -> symptoms occur -> check CIWA score and use the Benzo based on the score
Which benzos are preferred?
long-acting Benzos: more consistent coverage and less rebound
-Chlordiazepoxide
-Diazepam
consider short-acting and without metabolites for patients with liver impairment and elderly (oversedation)
-Lorazepam
-Oxazepam
all are effective
Which benzo should be used in an acute situation (risk for seizure or delirium tremens)?
Diazepam
bc it crosses the BBB quickly
Which dose is used for Hallucinations and Delirium tremens in an inpatient setting?
Hallucination: 5 mg IV and again after 30 minutes if needed
Delirium tremens: 5-10 mg IV q 5 minutes until calm but awake (max dose = 40mg)
What is the role of Phenobarbital in alcohol/BZD withdrawal?
-when patients have contraindications for BZD, or are at risk for severe and complicated withdrawal
-can be added to the Benzo
-monitor respiration depression and sedation and may check blood levels for safe use (narrow therapeutic window)
-patients may need inturbation/mechanical ventilation
-CYP2B6, 2C9, 3A4 inducer
When is Phenobarbital contraindicated?
-caution/contraindicated in advanced cirrhosis (due to CYP metabolism and therapeutic index?)
-contraindicated in pregnancy
How is Phenobarbital dosed?
!!!
Standard dose: 10mg/kg (range 6-16 mg/kg)
use IBW or actual BW, whichever is lower
How to administer Phenobarbital
with a loading dose
-use a lower dose in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, risk of respiratory compromise, or if they have received a significant amount of BZD before the Phenobarbital
-IV is preferred, may use IM or oral when IV is not available (split in multiple doses)
-need to taper due to long half-life
What other anticonvulsant adjuncts may be used?
Anticonvulsant:
Gabapentin: 1200mg/day in divided doses taper over 4-6 days (outpatient)
Carbamazepine: 800mg/day in divided doses, taper over 5-9 days
->BZD failure or multiple substance withdrawal
Role of Antipsychotics
less likely to use
-may be used for agitation, disturbed thinking or perceptual disturbance
-CAUTION: it lowers the seizure threshold and has EPS risk (Parkinson-like)
-do NOT use if 2 or more risk factors for Qtc prolongation: female, MI, sepsis, left ventricular dysfunction, using other Qtc prolongation drugs, age over 68, baseline Qtc over 450 ms, hypokalemia
-must do daily ECG/EKG
