Medications for Agitation 💊
Reference guide for medications for agitation. Drug table, dosing, indications, and prescribing for behavioural management in hospital inpatients.
⚠️ Medication Caution
- Medication is not first line in managing agitation.
- Always consider de-escalation techniques, underlying causes (e.g. delirium, pain, hypoxia), and non-pharmacological measures first.
Agitation Medications
Reference table for agitation management
| Drug | Dose | Frequency | Route | Notes | Hepatic | Renal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorazepam | 0.5-2mg | Max 4mg | PO/IM | Monitor for respiratory depression | Lower dose | Lower dose |
| Haloperidol | 2.5-5mg | BD | PO/IM | QT prolongation, EPS, Hypotension, start low in elderly | Avoid | <30 avoid |
| Quetiapine | 12.5-50mg | BD | PO | As above, antifungals (CYP3A4), seizures | Avoid | Lower |
| Diazepam | 2-10mg | QDS | PO/IM/IV | Concomitant sedation | Monitor | No change |
| Alprazolam | 0.125mg-0.5mg | TDS | PO | Concomitant sedation | Lower dose | Lower |
Lorazepam
PO/IMDose:0.5-2mg
Frequency:Max 4mg
Hepatic:Lower dose
Renal:Lower dose
Notes: Monitor for respiratory depression
Haloperidol
PO/IMDose:2.5-5mg
Frequency:BD
Hepatic:Avoid
Renal:<30 avoid
Notes: QT prolongation, EPS, Hypotension, start low in elderly
Quetiapine
PODose:12.5-50mg
Frequency:BD
Hepatic:Avoid
Renal:Lower
Notes: As above, antifungals (CYP3A4), seizures
Diazepam
PO/IM/IVDose:2-10mg
Frequency:QDS
Hepatic:Monitor
Renal:No change
Notes: Concomitant sedation
Alprazolam
PODose:0.125mg-0.5mg
Frequency:TDS
Hepatic:Lower dose
Renal:Lower
Notes: Concomitant sedation