TREATMENT OF THE ACUTE ALCOHOLIC WITH INJECTABLE THIORIDAZINE
JOSEPH M. BRILL M.D.1
1 Medical Director, Cutler Alcoholic Clinic, Wawa Hospital, Wawa, Pa.
Thioridazine by deep intramuscular injection was found to be an effective preparation for the symtomatic treatment of patients with acute alcoholism. Relief of nervous tension and anxiety and lifting of depression brought about improved cooperation, largely because thioridazine did not induce sleep. The only side effect was a 20- 30 mm. Hg fall in systolic blood pressure in 3 patients, relieved by a reduction in the frequency of injections. These findings and the absence of extrapyramidal stimulation or hepatotoxicity warrant further study of injectable thioridazine in the treatment of acute alcoholism.
