Psychopharmacology and the management of violent patients.
Human aggression is a complex behavior with multiple determinants for which there are as yet no specific drug treatments. This article reviews case reports and clinical studies of the use of various classes of medication in aggressive individuals. In addition, pharmacologic approaches to the acutely agitated patient are described. Recent studies of the beta-blockers and carbamazepine suggest that these agents may be of benefit in certain aggressive individuals. Methodologic limitations of extant clinical studies of the pharmacologic management of the violent patient are described as well.
Brizer
D A
DA
Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014754:Violence
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008094:Lithium