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Alcohol Withdrawal: Effects of Clonidine Treatment on Sympathetic Activity, the Renin‐Aldosterone System, and Clinical Symptoms
Author(s) -
Manhem Per,
Nilsson Lars Hakan,
Moberg AnnLouise,
Wadstein Jan,
Hbkfelt Bemt
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1985.tb05743.x
Subject(s) - clonidine , aldosterone , renin–angiotensin system , medicine , plasma renin activity , anesthesia , blood pressure
Twenty male alcoholics with alcohol withdrawal syndrome were randomized to receive either oral clonidine (3–600 μg, six hourty) or oral chlormethiazole (500–1000 mg, six hourty) for 4 days. All subjects were also given oral caroamazepine (200 mg, 12 hourly) throughout the study. Nine subjects given clonidine and eight given chlormethiazole completed the study. Clonidine was as effective as chlormethiazole in suppressing the symptoms and signs of alcohol withdrawal. However, plasma catecholamines, blood pressure, and pulse rate feH more rapidly and to a greater extent during clonidine than following chlormethiazole, findings which could have therapeutic implications, tt is suggested that activation of brain noradrenergic neurons constitutes a common denominator in the pathophysiology of several withdrawal syndromes.