title: [Management of the violent or agitated patient].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review current data about the management of agitated or aggressive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through a search of databases (PubMed and Web of Science), empirical articles and reviews about pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions for the management of agitation and /or violence were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The non-pharmacological management of agitation/aggression encompasses the organization of space and appropriateness of behavior and attitudes of health professionals. The main goal of pharmacological management is rapid tranquilization aimed at reducing symptoms of agitation and aggression, without the induction of deep or prolonged sedation, keeping the patient calm, but completely or partially responsive. Polypharmacy should be avoided, and doses of medications should be as small as possible, adjusted according to clinical need. Intramuscular administration of medication should be considered as a last resort and the options for the use of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines are described and commented. The physical management by means of mechanical restraint may be necessary in violent situations where there is risk to the patient or staff, and must meet strict criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Procedures must be carefully implemented to avoid physical and emotional complications for patients and staff.
authors.affiliation: Divisão de Psiquiatria, Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. celimanfer@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Célia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Marcelo Nobre
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Migon
authors.forename: Flávio Valdozende
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Alheira
authors.forename: Cristina Marta
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Del-Ben
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents