SAEM GRACE: Phenobarbital for alcohol withdrawal management in the emergency department: A systematic review of direct evidence

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a commonly presenting condition in the emergency department (ED) and can have severe complications, including mortality. Benzodiazepines are first-line medications for treating AWS but may be unavailable or insufficient. This systematic review evaluates the direct evidence assessing the utility of phenobarbital for treating AWS in the ED. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted and designed …