General Forums >> Ask A Nurse >> P&P for Alcohol Withdrawal
P&P for Alcohol Withdrawal
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Posted over 3 years ago I am currently writing a policy and procedure regarding assessment and management of the patient suffereing from Alcohol withdrawa. In my findings, I have viewed several standard physician order sets that describe us of oral sedatives (Perferred route) over the use of IV sedatives. Working in the Emergency Room, I have generally given patients IV forms of these medications and have always had a fairly successful outcome. What science is there to show that oral is best over IV administration? Anybody? Just want to insure that we are providing the best possible care to these individuals.
Thank you,
James |
431 posts back to top |
| Posted over 3 years ago What oral sedatives are we talking about? I have a passing familiarity with sedatives.. I might be able to help. Man will not be free until the last lawyer is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. With apologies to Voltaire |
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169 posts back to top |
| Posted over 3 years ago Oral sedatives are Ativan and Librium and IV sedatives are Librium, Ativan, and Valium. |
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431 posts back to top |
| Posted over 3 years ago The oral sedatives you mention have pretty long beta half lives.... plus the aborption is slower with oral medications... taking into consideration things like equipotent oral and parenteral routes... considerations like first pass metabolization in oral doses etc... not to mention the incredible irritation to veins with diazepam.. that stuff burns like hell AND is incompatible with quite a few IV solutions. Oral is a much less complicated route and avoids things like vein irritation with the added plus of slower aborption and prolonged action.
And not to be an ass.... BUT i hope that was an unmanned camera you were pointing the gun at..... Man will not be free until the last lawyer is strangled with the entrails of the last priest. With apologies to Voltaire |
