title: Use of benzodiazepines to control disruptive behavior in inpatients.
abstract: The author reviews prior evidence and presents data from his prospective study comparing intramuscular lorazepam with intramuscular haloperidol for control of extreme, agitated psychotic behavior; the data demonstrate that lorazepam is effective and has fewer side effects than haloperidol. The effective intramuscular dose is 1 to 2 mg in conjunction with ongoing neuroleptic antipsychotic treatment. Lorazepam does not prevent future disruptive behavior, and data do not support its use as an agent for maintenance therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salzman
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006220:Haloperidol; D008140:Lorazepam