Lorazepam and diazepam rapidly relieve catatonic features in major depression.
We have proved that a modified strategy (ie, lorazepam intramuscular injection [IMI] or diazepam intravenous drip [IVD] if lorazepam IMI fails) can rapidly relieve catatonic features in patients with schizophrenia. During a period of 3 years, we identified 7 major depressive patients with catatonic features in the emergency unit of a general hospital. The patients were treated with lorazepam IMI (dose, 2 mg/mL.per ampule) once or twice during the first 2 hours. If lorazepam IMI failed, diazepam IVD (dose, 10 mg/2 mL.per ampule) in 500 mL normal saline every 8 hours for 1 day would be administered. The total complete remission rate to lorazepam IMI within 2 hours was 6 (85.7%) per 7 patients, and the total complete remission rate to benzodiazepines (lorazepam IMI and diazepam IVD) within 1 day was 7 (100%) of all 7 patients. These results highly suggest that this modified strategy can also rapidly relieve catatonic features in major depression within 1 day and attain a high complete remission rate, even without electroconvulsive therapy.
Hung
Yi-Yung
YY
Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Huang
Tiao-Lai
TL
D000328:Adult; D002389:Catatonia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam