Rapid Control of Psychotic Excitement States with Intramuscular Haloperidol
FRANCINE SANGIOVANNI M.D.1,
MICHAEL A. TAYLOR M.D.2,
RICHARD ABRAMS M.D.2, , and
PEDRO GAZTANAGA M.D.3
1 Resident, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College-Metropolitan Hospital Center, 1901 First Ave., New York, N.Y. 10029
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College-Metropolitan Hospital Center, 1901 First Ave., New York, N.Y. 10029
3 Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, New York Medical College-Metropolitan Hospital Center, 1901 First Ave., New York, N.Y. 10029
The authors conducted an open clinical trial of high doses of parenteral haloperidol in the treatment of 40 acutely excited psychotic inpatients. Their preliminary results suggest that intramuscular haloperidol in doses up to 60 mg. a day is safe, effective, and well tolerated in the management of such patients. Adverse reactions, which were infrequent, included extrapyramidal symptoms, lethargy, and, in one patient, transient hypotension.
