Safety and efficacy of intravenous combination sedatives in the ED.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study is to determine the safety of intravenously administered combination sedatives in the emergency department (ED).


METHODS
This was a retrospective study of alcohol-intoxicated patients in the ED. We examined the incidence of adverse events in agitated patients who received combination sedatives intravenously and compared the efficacy of combination sedatives and single-agent sedatives.


RESULTS
Of 1300 patient visits, there was a single adverse event, a dystonic reaction, in the combination sedative group, for an adverse event rate of less than 1%. Patients who received combination sedatives were less likely to require a second dose of sedative medication than patients who received a single-agent sedative (21% vs 44%).


CONCLUSIONS
Combination sedatives appear to be safe when administered intravenously in the ED. Combination sedatives may be more effective than single-agent sedatives in agitated alcohol-intoxicated patients.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461. Electronic address: litfreak73@gmail.com.
Siu Fai
SF
Li
Amy
A
Kumar
Susan
S
Thomas
Yelena
Y
Sorokina
Vanessa
V
Calderon
Elizabeth
E
Dubey
Lani
L
Lee
Ludmilla
L
Gustave
D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004421:Dystonia / Q000139:chemically induced; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D061214:Patient Safety; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives