Pharmacopsychiatry 2006; 39(6): 232
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-951385
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Successful Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal with Trazodone

L. Borras 1 , P. de Timary 2 , E-L. Constant 2 , P. Huguelet 1 , A. Eytan 1
  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Division of Adult Psychiatry, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
  • 2Department of Psychiatry, Saint-Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
Further Information

Publication History

Received 18. 4. 2006 Revised 24. 7. 2006

Accepted 24. 7. 2006

Publication Date:
23 November 2006 (online)

Trazodone, a second generation antidepressant, is helpful in the treatment of lasting alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as sleep disturbances and craving. We report a case suggesting that trazodone is also efficient for the treatment of the acute phase of alcohol withdrawal treatment. A 30-year-old male patient with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms was successfully treated with an adjuvant administration of 600 mg trazodone per day, while he had remained symptomatic for several days under high doses of diazepam and clomethiazolum. Controlled trials with trazodone for this indication could be useful.

References

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  • 2 Friedmann PD, Herman DS, Freedman S, Lemon SC, Ramsey S, Stein MD. Treatment of sleep disturbance in alcohol recovery: a national survey of addiction medicine physicians.  J Addict Dis. 2003;  22 91-103
  • 3 Janiri L, Hadjichristos A, Buonanno A. Adjuvant trazodone in the treatment of alcoholism: an open study.  Alcohol Alcohol. 1998;  33 362-365
  • 4 Le Bon O, Murphy JR, Staner L. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of trazodone in alcohol post-withdrawal syndrome: polysomnographic and clinical evaluations.  J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2003;  23 377-383
  • 5 Roccatagliata G, Albano C, Maffini M, Farelli S. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome: treatment with trazodone.  Int Pharmacopsychiatry. 1980;  15 105-108

Correspondence

Laurence BorrasMD 

University Hospital of Geneva·Department of Psychiatry

Consultation Secteur Eaux-Vives

36 Rue du XXXI Décembre

1207 Geneva

Switzerland

Phone: +41/22/382 31 03

Email: Laurence.Borras@hcuge.ch