Phenobarbital to manage severe gamma-hydroxybutyrate withdrawal: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Management of a withdrawal syndrome following cessation of regular gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) use, and its precursors, can represent a clinical challenge due to rapid onset delirium and/or seizures. Severe GHB withdrawal can be characterised by persistent or worsening features despite increasing benzodiazepine doses and regular baclofen. Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, are an appealing option in this context due to their unique GABA-A receptor action. CASE SERIES: This series describes the use of phenobarbital in 13 cases, 12 patients, across two hospitals in Sydney, Australia, with persistent or progressive GHB withdrawal despite benzodiazepine-based management. A median cumulative dose of oral diazepam prior to commencing phenobarbital was 120 mg (range 80-255 mg). The median time from the last GHB use to the first dose of phenobarbital was 24 h (range 7-57 h). Eight cases received phenobarbital orally on a general ward and 5 intravenously in intensive care units. An improvement in GHB withdrawal symptoms was observed after phenobarbital in all cases and there were no adverse events related to phenobarbital. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This case series suggests that phenobarbital for the management of benzodiazepine-resistant GHB withdrawal can be safe, even in general inpatient settings, and may avert the progression of delirium. Most data on the management of GHB withdrawal comes from case reports or series, such as this one. This highlights the need for prospective trials to establish an evidence base for therapeutic approaches, including validated measures of withdrawal severity and more information relating to the safe and effective dosing of phenobarbital.

Inpatient GHB withdrawal management in an inner-city hospital in Sydney, Australia: a retrospective medical record review.

RATIONALE: Regular consumption of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) may result in a dependence syndrome that can lead to withdrawal symptoms. There are limited data on medications to manage GHB withdrawal. OBJECTIVES: To examine characteristics associated with delirium and discharge against medical advice (DAMA), in the context of implementing a GHB withdrawal management protocol at an inner-city hospital in 2020. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records (01 January 2017-31 March 2021), and included admissions that were ≥ 18 years of age, admitted for GHB withdrawal, and with documented recent GHB use. Admissions were assessed for demographics, medications administered, features of delirium, ICU admission, and DAMA. Exploratory analyses were conducted to examine factors associated (p < 0.2) with features of delirium and DAMA. RESULTS: We identified 135 admissions amongst 91 patients. Medications administered included diazepam (133 admissions, 98.5%), antipsychotics (olanzapine [70 admissions, 51.9%]), baclofen (114 admissions, 84%), and phenobarbital (8 admissions, 5.9%). Features of delirium were diagnosed in 21 (16%) admissions. Delirium was associated with higher daily GHB consumption prior to admission, while duration of GHB use, time from presentation to first dose of diazepam, and concomitant methamphetamine use were inversely associated with delirium. DAMA occurred amongst 41 (30%) admissions, and was associated with a longer time from presentation to first dose of baclofen, while being female and receiving a loading dose of diazepam were inversely associated. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the literature in support of the safety and feasibility of diazepam and baclofen for the management of GHB withdrawal. Prospective, randomised trials are required.

Sexual health and students: the pathways travelled by those with sexual health concerns.

The aim of this study was to identify the type of research (Internet, phone lines, friends, family, media or medical journal) undertaken by university students with sexual health concerns, and the effect this research had on their healthcare-seeking behaviour. The Internet was the most common (46%) first point of call for health information, closely followed by doctors (40%). Of those who undertook extra research, the majority subsequently went to a doctor. Health practitioners need to be aware of this tendency for independent research.