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Cited by 5Alcoholism and Thiamine DeficiencySubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesAlcohol Consumption and Health Effects

Use of Gabapentin for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in the Hospital Setting: A Randomized Open-Label Controlled Trial

DeFoster, Ruth E., Morgan, Robert J., Leung, Jonathan G., Schenzel, Holly, Vijapura, Priyanka, Kashiwagi, Deanne T., Fischer, Karen M., Philbrick, Kemuel L. +1 more·2023·Substance Use & Misuse
DOI 10.1080/10826084.2023.2236223
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Abstract

Background/objectives: Patients hospitalized with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) are typically treated with CIWA-directed benzodiazepines to prevent complications, such as seizures and delirium tremens. Gabapentin is an evidence-based alternative to benzodiazepines in the outpatient setting, but there is limited data for hospitalized patients with AWS. This study compared fixed-dose gabapentin to CIWA-directed benzodiazepines for AWS in the hospital setting. Methods: This open-label, randomized controlled trial enrolled 88 adults from February 1, 2017 to August 16, 2020 with a risk of complicated alcohol withdrawal as defined by the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale (PAWSS) ≥4. Patients were randomized within 16 h of admission to either fixed-dose gabapentin taper or continued CIWA-directed benzodiazepine administration. The primary outcome was the length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included seizure, delirium tremens, ICU transfer, and patient-reported symptoms (alcohol cravings, anxiety, sleepiness). Results: LOS was shorter, but not statistically different in the gabapentin group compared to the benzodiazepine group. Because benzodiazepines were received in both gabapentin and benzodiazepine groups before randomization, the mean amount of benzodiazepines received in each group was also not statistically different, although the amount received by the gabapentin group was less than half of that received by the benzodiazepine group (4.3 vs. 10.6 mg, p = 0.146 by per protocol analysis). There were no statistical differences in secondary measures. Conclusions: Fixed-dose gabapentin taper showed similar outcomes compared to CIWA-directed benzodiazepines for the treatment of hospitalized patients with mild/moderate AWS, but the interpretation of the results is limited due to under-enrollment and the use of benzodiazepines in both groups pre-enrollment.Clinical trial registration: NCT03012815.

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Crossref · 10.1080/10826084.2023.2236223

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  • In an RCT of 88 adults at risk of complicated AWS, length of stay was shorter in the gabapentin group than in the benzodiazepine group, though not statistically significant.

    “The primary outcome, length of stay, was shorter in the gabapentin group, though not statistically significant.”

    From A Narrative Review of Current and Emerging Trends in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder (2024) · cites this paper as [29]

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Authors
DeFoster, R. E., Morgan, R. J., Leung, J. G., Schenzel, H., Vijapura, P., Kashiwagi, D. T., Fischer, K. M., Philbrick, K. L., & Kung, S.
Affiliations
Mayo Clinic (US)
Corresponding author
DeFoster, Ruth E.
ORCID
Venue
Substance Use & Misuse
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2023-07-19
Volume
58
Issue
13
Pages
1643-1650
ISSN
  • 1082-6084 (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-2491
DOI
10.1080/10826084.2023.2236223
OpenAlex
W4384820784
Cited by
5
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1
FWCI
0.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Substance Use & Misuse (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Neurology › Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects
Keywords
gabapentin, alcohol withdrawal, benzodiazepines, hospitalized patients, length of hospital stay, delirium tremens, seizures, alcohol craving
MeSH terms
Gabapentin, Adult, Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium, Alcoholism, Benzodiazepines, Hospitals, Humans, Retrospective Studies, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

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