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Pharmacological management of aggression and violence
Author(s) -
Humble F.,
Berk M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.504
Subject(s) - tolerability , aggression , medicine , dilemma , clinical trial , psychiatry , intensive care medicine , psychology , adverse effect , pharmacology , philosophy , epistemology , pathology
The pharmacological management of violence and aggression is a common and substantial clinical dilemma in the emergency psychiatric situation. A literature search was conducted through PubMed and using the Cochrane Library. This was followed by a manual search of selected literature. Randomised controlled trials were sought that specifically addressed the acute situation, rather than the ongoing management of chronic conditions. There was a paucity of well‐controlled data and insufficient evidence to support the use of many agents in emergency situations. Many studies had considerable limitations making comparison difficult. Efficacy data for a range of treatment options exists, including the use of classical and atypical anti‐psychotic agents, benzodiazepines and combination therapies. Clinical risk, tolerability and environmental factors need to form part of a careful and considered judgement in the choice of treatment. Safety, tolerability and the potential for a positive experience are major considerations, thus paving the way for long term compliance. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.