coma (alcohol induced)

Last reviewed 01/2018

In cases of alcohol induced coma coincident head injury, hepatic failure and meningitis should be exluded.

A blood test will confirm substantial levels of alcohol and rule out alcoholic hypoglycaemia.

The airway and circulation must be maintained but glucose- containing fluids may precipitate Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Intravenous naloxone has reversed coma in a proportion of cases.