Randomized double-blind trial of psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide compared with diazepam for alcohol withdrawal state.

Author(s): Gillman MA, Lichtigfeld FJ

Affiliation(s): South African Brain Research Institute, 6 Campbell Street, Waverley, 2090, Johannesburg, South Africa. mag@iafrica.com

Publication date & source: 2002-04, J Subst Abuse Treat., 22(3):129-34.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

In this article, we report the first randomized double-blind controlled study of the use of psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN) vs. a single dose of benzodiazepine (diazepam) for treating acute alcoholic withdrawal states. In previous studies, it was demonstrated that a single treatment of PAN was sufficient to reverse 90% of acute alcoholic withdrawal states within the first 60 minutes of administration with lasting effect in a single-blind manner. Despite the small sample used (n = 23), the gas was significantly more effective than the benzodiazepine at the P = 0.05 level when compared at 120 minutes. This study provides further support for previous findings that show PAN is a safe, rapid and effective therapy for acute mild to moderately severe withdrawal states.