The Use of Antipsychotic Medications in the Emergency Department: a Narrative Review

AbstractPurpose of ReviewPsychotic illness causes significant burdens of disease both domestically and globally. Antipsychotic medication is a cornerstone of treatment for psychosis. Long-term adherence to these medications has been shown to have a host of benefits to patients. One practice setting where the effects of scheduled antipsychotics have not been thoroughly explored is in the emergency department (ED).Recent FindingsThe use of antipsychotic medication for the management of acute agitation in the ED has been extensively studied. Droperidol and olanzapine appear to be more efficacious than other antipsychotic medications; however, they have similar efficacy to midazolam and ketamine. Antipsychotic use in the ED decreases the risk of violent events but is linked to increased lengths of stay.SummaryUnfortunately, there is scant literature exploring the topic of initiating routine, scheduled antipsychotic medication for non-agitated patients in the ED. This represents a significant area for further research as EDs seek to determine best practices for this unique and vulnerable patient population.
Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research