Safety and effectiveness of high-dose midazolam for severe behavioural disturbance in an emergency department with suspected psychostimulant-affected patients

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Author(s)
Spain, David
Crilly, Julia
Whyte, Ian
Jenner, Linda
Carr, Vaughan
Baker, Amanda
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2008
Metadata
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Objectives: To trial high-dose midazolam sedation protocol for uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant-induced behavioural disorders. End-points were effectiveness and safety. Methods: A prospective pilot study was undertaken with a convenience sample of adult, uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant-induced severe behavioural disorders. The protocol was midazolam in 10 mg increments, i.m. or i.v., at 10 min intervals, up to four doses and titrated to an end-point of rousable drowsiness. Results: Sixty-two patients were enrolled. Two-thirds of the patients required only one dose of ...
View more >Objectives: To trial high-dose midazolam sedation protocol for uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant-induced behavioural disorders. End-points were effectiveness and safety. Methods: A prospective pilot study was undertaken with a convenience sample of adult, uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant-induced severe behavioural disorders. The protocol was midazolam in 10 mg increments, i.m. or i.v., at 10 min intervals, up to four doses and titrated to an end-point of rousable drowsiness. Results: Sixty-two patients were enrolled. Two-thirds of the patients required only one dose of midazolam; 88% of the sample were sedated with two doses. Six and a half per cent of patients were not sedated after four doses. A Glasgow Coma Score of eight or less was prolonged in eight patients. Airway problems requiring an adjunct were present in four patients. Recent psychostimulant use was present in only 55% after full assessment. Conclusions: High-dose midazolam protocols cannot be supported as universally safe. High-dose protocols for severe behavioural disturbance are not more effective, with failures occurring even after repeated dosing.
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View more >Objectives: To trial high-dose midazolam sedation protocol for uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant-induced behavioural disorders. End-points were effectiveness and safety. Methods: A prospective pilot study was undertaken with a convenience sample of adult, uncooperative patients with suspected psychostimulant-induced severe behavioural disorders. The protocol was midazolam in 10 mg increments, i.m. or i.v., at 10 min intervals, up to four doses and titrated to an end-point of rousable drowsiness. Results: Sixty-two patients were enrolled. Two-thirds of the patients required only one dose of midazolam; 88% of the sample were sedated with two doses. Six and a half per cent of patients were not sedated after four doses. A Glasgow Coma Score of eight or less was prolonged in eight patients. Airway problems requiring an adjunct were present in four patients. Recent psychostimulant use was present in only 55% after full assessment. Conclusions: High-dose midazolam protocols cannot be supported as universally safe. High-dose protocols for severe behavioural disturbance are not more effective, with failures occurring even after repeated dosing.
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Journal Title
Emergency Medicine Australasia
Volume
20
Publisher URI
Copyright Statement
© 2008 Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. The definitive version is available at www.interscience.wiley.com
Subject
Clinical sciences