A 54-year-old man with chronic alcohol abuse shows agitation and confusion. What management should be pursued?

In the case of a 54-year-old man with chronic alcohol abuse who presents with agitation and confusion, management typically involves the administration of benzodiazepines, with diazepam being a commonly used option. This medication acts as a central nervous system depressant, providing sedative and anxiolytic effects.

Diazepam helps reduce agitation and promotes calmness in patients experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can manifest as confusion and agitation. The use of benzodiazepines is considered a first-line treatment for managing withdrawal symptoms and potential alcohol-related delirium.

Other options, such as admission to psychiatry, while important, do not provide immediate pharmacological treatment for acute symptoms. Dantrolene is primarily used for conditions like malignant hyperthermia and certain muscle spasticity disorders, and cyproheptadine is an antihistamine that is sometimes used for specific conditions but is not indicated in the case of alcohol withdrawal. Hence, the choice of diazepam aligns best with the immediate need to address the presenting symptoms of agitation and confusion in this context.