SGEM#328: I Can’t fight this Med Any Longer – Droperidol for Acute Agitation

Trials extracted from the podcast by Dr. Ken Milne

• 2021Randomized Double-blind Trial of Intramuscular Droperidol, Ziprasidone, and Lorazepam for Acute Undifferentiated Agitation in the Emergency DepartmentEmergency & ResuscitationIn 115 emergency department patients with acute undifferentiated agitation, droperidol achieved adequate sedation at 15 minutes more often than ziprasidone or lorazepam.
• 2021A Prospective Study of Intramuscular Droperidol or Olanzapine for Acute Agitation in the Emergency DepartmentEmergency & ResuscitationIn 1,257 emergency department patients with acute agitation, intramuscular droperidol did not shorten time to adequate sedation compared with olanzapine.
• 1997Haloperidol, lorazepam, or both for psychotic agitation? A multicenter, prospective, double-blind, emergency department studyPsychiatry & BehaviouralIn 98 agitated, aggressive psychotic emergency-department patients, haloperidol plus lorazepam calmed agitation faster than haloperidol or lorazepam alone.