Phenobarbital and Diazepam Show Similar Outcomes in Alcohol Withdrawal

This multicenter comparative effectiveness study used data from 754 US hospitals to compare phenobarbital versus diazepam initiated on the day of admission in 24,643 patients hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The study reported no differences in hospital length of stay or invasive mechanical ventilation use between the two treatments, though self-directed discharge was more frequent among those started on diazepam. The authors state these results may suggest near therapeutic equivalence between phenobarbital and long-acting benzodiazepines.

Most relevant for: Clinicians managing hospitalized adult patients with alcohol withdrawal syndrome in acute care settings.

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