Oral ethanol prescribing for alcohol withdrawal syndrome: initial findings and future directions following implementation within a United Kingdom National Health Service setting.

Prescribing of ethanol may be an alternative to benzodiazepines for managing alcohol withdrawal syndrome. We present our experience of oral ethanol prescribing within an acute United Kingdom National Health Service setting. A retrospective review of patients presenting with alcohol withdrawal who were managed with oral ethanol or benzodiazepines was performed from data collected across two acute care settings. Ethanol prescribing inclusion: high risk of delirium tremens, Fifty (82 per cent male; average age 50.9 years) and 93 (84 per cent male; average age 46.5 years) patients in receipt of benzodiazepines or ethanol, respectively, were included. The likelihood of hospital admission was significantly reduced when individuals were managed with ethanol (odds ratio 0.206 (95 per cent confidence interval; 0.066-0.641), Wald chi-square We offer preliminary evidence to support a role of oral ethanol in the management of patients with alcohol withdrawal. We have implemented a robust and translatable guideline. Despite limitations in the data set the impact of ethanol in reducing the likelihood of admission remained significant. In individuals at significant risk of severe alcohol withdrawal, prescribing ethanol as part of a comprehensive care plan, may reduce unplanned admissions. The preliminary findings presented here warrant further assessment through prospective studies.