Reduction in early alcohol abstinence fits by administration of carbamazepine syrup instead of tablets.

All convulsive fits during ethanol abstinence in the acute ward of a Department of Alcohol Diseases were recorded during two 11-month periods. The patients and the treatment given were similar during the 2 periods, except that the initial dose of carbamazepine was given as tablets during the first period and as syrup during the second period. The rate of withdrawal fits between 2 and 10 h after the initial dose of carbamazepine was significantly lower in the group given the syrup, which is suggestive of greater efficacy. This is probably due to faster absorption of carbamazepine from the syrup, promoting more rapid attainment of an anticonvulsant concentration.