Evaluation of Prescription Patterns in Management of Agitation in Patients Referred to the Emergency Department

Atefeh Abshari; Niayesh Mohebbi; Atefeh Mohammadjafari

doi:10.18502/ijps.v19i4.16562

Atefeh Abshari Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Niayesh Mohebbi Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Atefeh Mohammadjafari Department of Psychiatry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v19i4.16562

Keywords: Antipsychotic; Benzodiazepine; Developing Countries; Pharmacotherapy; Psychomotor

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to evaluate patterns of prescription of medications used to manage acute agitation in adult Iranian patients at the emergency department (ED) of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran.

Method: The study analyzed data from the medical records of 252 patients who received pharmacotherapy for agitation.

Results: The findings revealed that 181 patients (71.82%) were given typical antipsychotics, with haloperidol being the most commonly prescribed medication. Atypical antipsychotics were administered to 24 participants (9.52%), primarily olanzapine, and 52 patients (20.63%) received benzodiazepines, predominantly lorazepam. The treatment response was also assessed as appropriate in 224 patients (88.89%) and inappropriate in 28 patients (11.11%).

Conclusion: The study recommends providing new-generation medications to developing countries and underscores the importance of updating student educational programs.