Psychiatria pre prax 1/2010

The treatment of delirium tremens

Delirium tremens may be a serious complication of the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms in patients with alcohol dependence and can be the life threatening, as well. The mortality due to this complication has decreased thanks to widespread use of benzodiazepines. Nowadays benzodiazepines are the standard modality of psychopharmacological treatment for delirium tremens. The treatment of delirium temens incorporates general supportive measures, as well as management of specific symptoms (antipsychotics, vitamins and search and treatment of complicating illnesses).

Keywords: delirium tremens, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, benzodiazepines