This study compared admitted trauma patients with alcohol withdrawal or those at risk of withdrawal before and after a benzodiazepine sparing protocol (using clonidine and gabapentin) was initiated. They found a lower daily CIWA score and significantly less lorazepam use in the benzodiazepines sparing group. This sparing protocol appears to be safe and effective.
References
Eliminating the benzos: A benzodiazepine-sparing approach to preventing and treating alcohol withdrawal syndrome
McCullough, Mary Alyce MD; Miller, Preston R. III MD; Martin, Tamriage MD; Rebo, Kristin A. PharmD; Stettler, Gregory R. MD; Martin, Robert Shayn MD; Cantley, Morgan PharmD; Shilling, Elizabeth H. PhD; Hoth, James J. MD, PhD; Nunn, Andrew M. MD
