Enlarged double-blind randomised trial of benzodiazepines against psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide for alcohol withdrawal

Addict Behav. 2004 Aug;29(6):1183-7. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.03.015.

Abstract

We report a randomised double-blind controlled study with an enlarged cohort of participants (N = 51) using psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN) versus benzodiazepines (BZs) for treating acute alcoholic withdrawal states. An additional 28 participants having received a BZ the night previous to the study were pooled with the previously analysed 23 (with no additional BZ). These pooled results showed that PAN is superior to a BZ regimen at P = .05 level, despite additional BZs. Our work provides further support for previous findings that show that PAN is a safe, rapid, and effective therapy for acute mild to moderately severe withdrawal states.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use*
  • Diazepam / therapeutic use*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Ethanol / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitrous Oxide / therapeutic use*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Ethanol
  • Nitrous Oxide
  • Diazepam