Droperidol: efficacy and side effects in psychiatric emergencies.
BACKGROUND
As admission criteria to inpatient units become more focused on patient safety and behavioral instability, primary treatment often requires use of medications that need to be quick, safe, and effective for control of agitation. This article reviews the evidence that droperidol may serve as the optimal medication for this task.


METHODS
A comprehensive MEDLINE search of English-language literature was conducted using the search term droperidol concerning the use of droperidol in psychiatric emergencies. Cross-referencing of those articles was conducted to include pertinent articles in the non-psychiatric and European literature regarding safety and early development of the drug.


RESULTS
As evidenced in the animal and clinical literature, studies demonstrate the efficacy and rapidity of onset of droperidol and its relative safety compared with the most widely used antiagitation drug, haloperidol. Evidence for this use of droperidol is particularly compelling for situations in which intramuscular administration is necessary.


CONCLUSIONS
Droperidol, while not in widespread use, may prove to be the superior typical neuroleptic for psychiatric emergencies. Increased clinical utilization and study of droperidol for this use is warranted.
Chambers
R A
RA
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn., USA. robert.chambers@yale.edu
Druss
B G
BG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D004329:Droperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006220:Haloperidol; D004329:Droperidol