Management of alcohol withdrawal state in a patient with respiratory depression

Arathy Nathan; Arun Joy; Sebind Kumar; Harish M Tharayil

doi:10.30834/KJP.36.2.2023.392

Authors

Arathy Nathan Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Thrissur
Arun Joy Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Thrissur
Sebind Kumar Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Thrissur
Harish M Tharayil Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Thrissur

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30834/KJP.36.2.2023.392

Keywords:

Alcohol, respiratory depression, carbamazepine, benzodiazepines

Abstract

Alcohol withdrawal state is generally managed using benzodiazepines. In various studies, it was found that anticonvulsants, including oxcarbazepine, are as effective as benzodiazepines in managing alcohol withdrawal state. This case report highlights the efficacy of oxcarbazepine in acute alcohol withdrawal state where benzodiazepines were contraindicated due to respiratory depression. We report the case of managing alcohol withdrawal state in a 50-year-old male with respiratory depression.

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