The Journal of clinical psychiatry
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Acute treatment of psychotic agitation: a randomized comparison of oral treatment with risperidone and lorazepam versus intramuscular treatment with haloperidol and lorazepam.
Standard treatment for acute psychotic agitation often involves intramuscular administration of the benzodiazepine lorazepam and the antipsychotic haloperidol. This study compared the efficacy and safety of oral treatment with the atypical antipsychotic risperidone plus lorazepam with those of standard intramuscular treatment. We hypothesized that the efficacy and speed of action of both treatments would be similar. ⋯ A single oral dose of risperidone plus lorazepam was as effective as parenterally administered haloperidol plus lorazepam for the rapid control of agitation and psychosis. These findings suggest that this oral regimen is an acceptable alternative to the current intramuscular treatment for acute psychotic agitation.