Clonidine in alcohol withdrawal.

In a doubl-blind study, patients receiving a rapidly falling dosage of clonidine recovered about 1 day faster from the symptoms of moderately severe alcohol withdrawal than patients receiving placebo. The effects of clonidine were especially noticeable with respect to tremor, sweating, elevated systolic blood pressure, tension, anxiety, depression, and general condition. Clonidine had no effect on the sleep disturbances. No significant side effects were seen. It is suggested that clonidine is a useful aid in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, especially when it is desirable to minimise the use of tranquillisers.