Alcohol withdrawal and carbamazepine.

The use of pharmacologic intervention in the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome is briefly presented. The use of carbamazepine, a tricyclic anticonvulsant with clinical efficacy in depressive illness, in alcohol withdrawal treatment is reviewed. A comparative analysis between carbamazepine and major drugs used in alcohol withdrawal syndrome is made. This includes the evaluation of both clinical advantages and disadvantages in addition to identification of drug adverse reaction and interaction with alcohol. The mechanism of action of carbamazepine is also examined. Carbamazepine appears to possess a useful pharmacotherapeutic potential in the management of acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and its use in long-term treatment is suggested.