Question

A 58-year-old man with chronic alcohol use presents to the emergency department with tremor, agitation, tachycardia and hypertension 12 hours after his last drink. He is disorientated but protecting his airway. What is the most appropriate pharmacological treatment?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines guided by a withdrawal scale

Answer

Haloperidol monotherapy

Answer

Beta blocker monotherapy

Answer

Thiamine alone

Answer

No medication; observation only

Practice question

A 58-year-old man with chronic alcohol use presents to the emergency department with tremor, agitation, tachycardia and hypertension 12 hours after his last drink. He is disorientated but protecting his airway. What is the most appropriate pharmacological treatment?