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Abstract
Alcohol withdrawal is a common problem encountered by emergency physicians, with delirium
tremens (DT) as the extreme manifestation. DT is a true medical emergency. Although
benzodiazepines are the mainstay of therapy, some patients require massive amounts
to control their symptoms. We report the successful use of propofol for DT refractory
to benzodiazepines in a 42-year-old alcoholic man. We briefly discuss alcohol withdrawal,
as well as the pharmacokinetics and adverse affects of propofol. The use of propofol
in treating DT refractory to benzodiazepines has previously not been reported.