Sir,
This letter is in the context to an article published in Indian Journal of Pharmacology in entitled “cost-effectiveness of the baclofen versus chlordiazepoxide in alcohol-withdrawal syndrome.”[1] The authors concluded that chlordiazepoxide was more cost-effective than baclofen in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The present data can support the use of these drugs for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. However, as noted by Amato et al. in a meta-analysis, the effect of chlordiazepoxide is yet inconclusive and the adverse effect of these drugs is a matter of concern.[2] The adverse effects of chlordiazepoxide have been well documented.[3] It is reported that chlordiazepoxide is inferior to other drugs such as nifedipine in terms of adverse effects, when used for managing alcohol withdrawal syndrome,[4] Considering the study by Reddy et al.,[1] the drug merits further evaluation.
References
- 1.Reddy VK, Girish K, Lakshmi P, Vijendra R, Kumar A, Harsha R. Cost-effectiveness analysis of baclofen and chlordiazepoxide in uncomplicated alcohol-withdrawal syndrome. Indian J Pharmacol. 2014;46:372–7. doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.135947. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Amato L, Minozzi S, Davoli M. Efficacy and safety of pharmacological interventions for the treatment of the Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008537.pub2. CD008537. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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