ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION (IN-PATIENTS) PRESCRIBING GUIDELINE
Authors Consultant Psychiatrist;
Pharmacist Team Manager
Sponsor Medical Director
Responsible committee Medicines Management Group
Ratified by Quality, Safety and Governance Committee
Date ratified 25 March 2015
Date issued April 2015
Review date March 2018
Version 1.1
If developed in partnership with another agency, ratification details of the relevant agency
Signed on behalf of the Trust:………..
Aidan Thomas, Chief Executive
Elizabeth House, Fulbourn Hospital, Fulbourn, Cambs, CB21 5EF Phone: 01223 726789
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Version Control Sheet
Version Date Author Comments
1.0 November 2011
Zahoor Syed;
Sara Williamson
First version of the guideline developed
1.1 March 2015
Sara Williamson Reviewed, no changes required.
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Contents
Section Page
1 Introduction……….. 4
2 Purpose……… 4
3 Scope……… 4
4 Duties and Responsibilities……… 4
5 Aims of Treatment……… 5
6 Acute Alcohol Withdrawal……….. 5
7 Wernicke’s Encephalopathy………. 7
8 Training and Education……….. 8
9 Monitoring Compliance……….. 8
10 Links to Other Documents………. 8
11 References……….………. 8
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1 Introduction
1.1 In alcohol-dependent individuals, abruptly stopping drinking can precipitate an alcohol withdrawal syndrome: this may occur if people are admitted suddenly to hospital and their alcohol dependence has not been previously recognized.
Planned alcohol detoxification may also form part of the treatment plan for an in-patient admission.
2 Purpose
2.1 To guide prescribers in the management of in-patients with acute alcohol withdrawal, including planned alcohol detoxes.
3 Scope
3.2 These guidelines apply to all in-patient wards for Adults, Older People, Children and Learning Disability services within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (hereafter referred to as ‘the Trust’ or ‘CPFT’.
4 Duties and Responsibilities 4.1 Medical Director
The Medical Director has delegated responsibility to ensure that appropriate arrangements and guidelines are in place within the Trust in respect of the appropriate use of this policy.
4.2 Chief Pharmacist
The Chief Pharmacist has primary responsibility for the development, implementation, monitoring and review of this guidance document.
4.3 Medicines Management Committee
The Medicines Management Committee has overarching responsibility for the development, implementation, monitoring and review of this policy. The committee reports to the Clinical Effectiveness Subcommittee, which is responsible for the formal approval of medicines management documents that guide practice (DtGP).
4.4 Team Managers
Team managers must ensure that members of their team are aware of this policy and fulfill the requirements within it.
4.5 All Staff
Each individual member of staff, particularly doctors, non medical prescribers.
pharmacists and qualified nursing staff are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of this policy and fulfill the requirements within it if relevant to their practice.
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5 Aims of treatment
To control symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal o Benzodiazepines (usually chlordiazepoxide)
To recognize, prevent and treat Wernicke’s encephalopathy o Vitamin B supplements (parenteral and oral)
The approach to prescribing in in-patient detoxifications should be flexible and will depend on the individual. All inpatient detoxifications run for a maximum of 10 days. Withdrawal should be assessed and the regime reviewed daily.
Biochemical abnormalities such as hypokalaemia, hypophosphataemia and hypomagnesaemia are common. These should be monitored and corrected.
6 Acute Alcohol Withdrawal
6.1 Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal occur in about 40% of dependent drinkers, and usually begin within 24 hours of the last intake of alcohol. They include:
Restlessness Tremor Sweating Anxiety
Nausea/vomiting Loss of appetite Insomnia
Tachycardia
Systolic hypertension
Alcohol-withdrawal seizures usually occur within 12-48 hours of alcohol cessation, and may develop before the blood alcohol level has fallen to zero.
Patients who experience seizures while detoxifying will need full medical assessment and may need on-going medical in-patient treatment.
Delerium tremens (DTs) is a toxic confusional state that occurs in about 5% of patients but accounts for the highest morbidity and mortality. Onset of DTs is typically 2-3 days after cessation, and represents a medical emergency. In DTs there may be:
Confusion and disorientation
Hallucinations (visual and auditory) Delusions
Agitation Fever
in addition to the general symptoms of alcohol withdrawal above.
Rating scales that can be used to assess the severity of symptoms include:
The Short Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (SAWS): a 10-point questionnaire suitable for completion by patients
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The Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale Revised (CIWA-Ar): a more extensive scale that is completed by an experienced rater
6.2 Benzodiazepine regimes
The benzodiazepine of choice for uncomplicated withdrawal is chlordiazepoxide, as it has low potential for dependence. However its long half-life may lead to accumulation in older patients, or those with impaired liver function. In these circumstances a shorter-acting benzodiazepine, such as oxazepam, may be prescribed instead.
The dose regime will depend on the extent of alcohol dependence (history, number of units a day) and the severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
6.2.1 Mild dependence
Symptoms may be managed without medication, or by following a symptom- driven approach (see section 7.2.4).
6.2.2 Moderate dependence
This will require a regular chlordiazepoxide regimen, e.g.
0800 1200 1800 2200 prn
Day 1 20mg 20mg 20mg 20mg 10-20mg
(max 40mg in 24 hours)
Day 2 20mg 10mg 10mg 20mg
Day 3 10mg 10mg 10mg 10mg
Day 4 10mg 5mg 5mg 10mg
Day 5 5mg 5mg 5mg 5mg
Day 6 5mg 5mg
Day 7 5mg
6.2.3 Severe dependence
This will require larger doses of chlordiazepoxide, e.g.
0800 1200 1800 2200 prn
Day 1 40mg 40mg 40mg 40mg 10-20mg
(max 40mg in 24 hours)
Day 2 40mg 30mg 30mg 40mg
Day 3 30mg 30mg 30mg 30mg
Day 4 30mg 20mg 20mg 30mg
Day 5 20mg 20mg 20mg 20mg
Day 6 20mg 10mg 10mg 20mg
Day 7 10mg 10mg 10mg 10mg
Day 8 10mg 5mg 5mg 10mg
Day 9 5mg 5mg 5mg 5mg
Day 10 5mg 5mg
Doses should not exceed 200mg/day (including prn) without previous agreement of the consultant.
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6.2.4 Symptom-driven detox This approach may be useful
For mild dependence, or where the extent of dependence is unclear.
Where a patient is still under the influence of alcohol at the point of
assessment i.e. withdrawal symptoms have not started yet. (It is recognized that patients attending for planned detox may drink immediately before admission).
Where the patient is already taking regular benzodiazepines.
Where staff are confident about assessing the severity of alcohol withdrawal and dosing appropriately.
Chlordiazepoxide should be prescribed to be given prn as withdrawal symptoms manifest: e.g. 10-40mg initially then 10-20mg prn.
The total dose should be monitored for 24 hours, and used to create a reducing regime if necessary (over 5-10 days depending on severity).
6.3 Other Medications for Management of Withdrawal Symptoms Paracetamol 1g QDS for pain
Cyclizine 50mg TDS for nausea
Diazepam 10mg PR max 30mg for seizures Zopiclone 7.5–15mg for insomnia
7 Wernicke’s Encephalopathy
Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a relatively common condition. It is caused by acute thiamine deficiency.
Signs of Wernicke’s encephalopathy
High risk signs for development of Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Ataxia Hypotension
Ophthalmoplegia Hypothermia Loss of memory Hypoglycaemia
Confusion Malnourishment
7.1 Prophylaxis with thiamine
Absorption of thiamine is poor by the oral route, so high-potency I/M vitamin B complex (Pabrinex) should be used for rapid thiamine supplementation. This should be prescribed for all patients undergoing in-patient detoxification (unless their alcohol dependence is mild, and they are well-nourished and healthy prior to admission).
Pabrinex I/M 1 pair of ampoules daily for 3 days Followed by oral:
Thiamine 100mg three times a day Vitamin B Co Strong 2 twice daily
continued for 2 weeks (prescribe supply for discharge if needed).
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7.2 Treatment of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy
If the patient develops signs of Wernicke’s encephalopathy, the dose should be increased to
Pabrinex I/M 2 pairs of ampoules three times a day and consideration given to referral for in-patient medical management.
8 Training and Education
8.1 Training needs will be identified through the supervision process. Additional training should be undertaken in the following circumstances:
After any change to the policy, including addition of new drugs to the policy After a long period of leave from work, for example, study sabbaticals,
extended maternity leave
After a change in personal circumstances, for example, a change in job resulting in a transfer between specialties
If identified as required, through annual appraisals or objective setting process.
9 Monitoring Compliance
9.1 Compliance with this policy will be monitored by the Chief Pharmacist using a risk-based approach and as agreed by the Medicines Management Committee. Exceptions will be reported through the MMC to the Clinical Effectiveness Group as required.
10 Links to Other Documents
This policy should be read in conjunction with Medicines Policy
11 References
Alcohol-use disorders – diagnosis and clinical management of alcohol-related physical complications (CG100, 2010). London: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Available from www.nice.org.uk
Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines, 10th edition (2009). London: Informa Healthcare
