Phenobarbital Compared to Lorazepam (Ativan) Administration Effects on Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Complications, Length of Stay, and Adjunctive Medication Use
Advisor(s)
Dr. Jamie Craig
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
24-4-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2026 11:50 AM
Abstract
Problem: Alcohol use disorder(AUD) is rapidly increasing in the United States contributing to 140,000 deaths annually. More patients present to hospitals with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Alcohol withdrawal can cause diaphoresis, tremors, headaches, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, and respiratory distress. If untreated, death will occur. Lorazepam has been the standard of care to control AWS with a shorter duration and increased risk of delirium, however, phenobarbital is a faster-acting AWS treatment decreasing sedation and delirium.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify whether phenobarbital compared to lorazepam usage among inpatient adult withdrawal patients reduces the severity of withdrawal complications, length of stay, and adjunctive medication use.
Methods: In this comparative quasi-experimental study, 100 AWS patients will be divided into even groups. The control group will be administered lorazepam after assessment with the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol- revised scale (CIWA-Ar). The intervention group will receive phenobarbital after being assessed with the Glasgow Modified Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (GMAWS). After administration, data will be collected and measured based on hospital length of stay, use of approved adjunctive medications, and severity of complications from withdrawal including mechanical ventilation, ICU transfers, and mortality.
Conclusion: It is expected that phenobarbital will have a decreased hospital length of stay and use of adjunctive medications administered for patients experiencing AWS compared to lorazepam. Phenobarbital also has been shown to decrease adverse complications of withdrawal including ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation, and mortality. By implementing phenobarbital-based withdrawal management, patient outcomes will improve.
Recommended Citation
VanMeter, Carlie, "Phenobarbital Compared to Lorazepam (Ativan) Administration Effects on Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Complications, Length of Stay, and Adjunctive Medication Use" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 46.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Posters/46
Open Access
Available to all.
Phenobarbital Compared to Lorazepam (Ativan) Administration Effects on Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Complications, Length of Stay, and Adjunctive Medication Use
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Problem: Alcohol use disorder(AUD) is rapidly increasing in the United States contributing to 140,000 deaths annually. More patients present to hospitals with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). Alcohol withdrawal can cause diaphoresis, tremors, headaches, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, seizures, and respiratory distress. If untreated, death will occur. Lorazepam has been the standard of care to control AWS with a shorter duration and increased risk of delirium, however, phenobarbital is a faster-acting AWS treatment decreasing sedation and delirium.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify whether phenobarbital compared to lorazepam usage among inpatient adult withdrawal patients reduces the severity of withdrawal complications, length of stay, and adjunctive medication use.
Methods: In this comparative quasi-experimental study, 100 AWS patients will be divided into even groups. The control group will be administered lorazepam after assessment with the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol- revised scale (CIWA-Ar). The intervention group will receive phenobarbital after being assessed with the Glasgow Modified Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (GMAWS). After administration, data will be collected and measured based on hospital length of stay, use of approved adjunctive medications, and severity of complications from withdrawal including mechanical ventilation, ICU transfers, and mortality.
Conclusion: It is expected that phenobarbital will have a decreased hospital length of stay and use of adjunctive medications administered for patients experiencing AWS compared to lorazepam. Phenobarbital also has been shown to decrease adverse complications of withdrawal including ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation, and mortality. By implementing phenobarbital-based withdrawal management, patient outcomes will improve.