A 52-year-old man with severe alcohol dependence is admitted for planned inpatient withdrawal. He drinks 20 standard drinks daily and has a history of...

Question

A 52-year-old man with severe alcohol dependence is admitted for planned inpatient withdrawal. He drinks 20 standard drinks daily and has a history of withdrawal seizures. His last drink was 6 hours ago and he is tremulous and sweaty. What is the most appropriate first-line pharmacological regimen for withdrawal?

Accepted Answer

Long-acting benzodiazepine such as diazepam, given in a symptom-triggered or fixed-taper regimen

Answer

Short-acting benzodiazepines used only when seizures occur

Answer

Antipsychotics alone to control agitation

Answer

Oral clonidine alone

Answer

No medication; supportive care only

au-amc MCQ (SBA): Alcohol withdrawal management