title: Dosage and administration issues of antipsychotic agents (and adjunctive medicines) in the acute stabilization of psychoses.
abstract: There are several options and approaches available to practicing psychiatrists for the pharmacologic management of acute psychotic episodes that present in emergency room settings. This article focuses on the first hours and days of such episodes, the goals of treatment, and comparison of the "old favorites," such as combination haloperidol and lorazepam (in liquid, tablet or injectable formulations), with the newer second-generation antipsychotic agents, such as olanzapine, ziprasidone, risperidone, quetiapine, or aripiprazole, which are available in different formulations. The speed of titration to an effective target dose for these newer agents are addressed as well.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-2593, USA. chengappakn@upmc.edu
authors.forename: K N Roy
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Chengappa
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents