A double-blind randomized clinical trial of rapid tranquilization with I.M. clonazepam and I.M. haloperidol in agitated psychotic patients with manic symptoms.
This double-blind clinical trial studied 16 acutely agitated psychotic patients with manic or manic-like symptoms who needed rapid tranquilization and were therefore on maintenance treatment. They were randomized to receive intramuscular preparations of clonazepam (1 to 2 mg) or haloperidol (5 to 10 mg) at 0, 0.5, and 1.0 hours. Both medications produced significant reduction of manic symptoms within two hours of initial treatment; however, haloperidol produced beneficial results more rapidly than clonazepam. All patients completed the study, with the exception of one haloperidol-treated patient who developed severe parkinsonism. It was concluded that I.M. clonazepam is an effective, safe, but slower-acting alternative to I.M. haloperidol in the treatment of agitated psychiatric patients in need of rapid tranquilization.
Chouinard
G
G
Psychiatric Research Centre, Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.
Annable
L
L
Turnier
L
L
Holobow
N
N
Szkrumelak
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology
D002998:Clonazepam; D006220:Haloperidol