Delirium tremens

Abstract

The effect of diazepam and barbital in the treatment of delirium tremens and other acute conditions related to alcohol abuse was evaluated in a double-blind trial. Patients [91] participated in the study, 44 in the diazepam group and 47 in the barbital group. Barbital was given by the oral route, diazepam as i.m. injections. Different ways of drug administration to patients with delirium tremens were discussed. The 2 different ways used in the study probably did not have a noteworthy influence on the results. All patients were excluded who had taken psychoactive drugs before admission. Nevertheless a considerable part of the patients had diazepam, but not barbital, in the blood before treatment was initiated. This may give support to the use of barbital as a special purpose drug in the treatment of these conditions. The patients were divided into 3 diagnostic categories, according to the severity of the clinical condition. No difference between the 2 drugs tested was found in the milder conditions, but barbital was superior to diazepam in the treatment of fully developed delirium tremens.