title: Emergency psychopharmacology.
abstract: A review of the literature pertinent to the emergency use of psychotropic agents is presented. Four general principles (underlying organicity, target symptoms, route of administration, and side effect profiles) governing the choice of psychotropic agent are discussed. Pharmacologic management approaches to commonly encountered behavioral emergencies, including drug-related disorders, assaultive patients, suicidal patients, agitated patients, and stuporous/withdrawn patients, are outlined.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy; D000647:Amnesia / Q000188:drug therapy; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs