Brief Psychotic Disorder Medication

  • Author: Mohammed A Memon, MD; Chief Editor: David Bienenfeld, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 17, 2012
 

Medication Summary

The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.

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Antipsychotics

Class Summary

Are high-potency agents (eg, haloperidol, droperidol) that provide rapid, predictable, and effective sedation in the management of patients who are acutely psychotic. They are less sedating and more easily titrated but are more likely to cause extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS) than lower-potency agents. They are often combined in the same syringe with a benzodiazepine (eg, lorazepam, diazepam) for better sedation and anxiolysis and for less dystonia or akathisia. For prophylaxis of extrapyramidal adverse effects, temporary use of a serotonin-dopamine antagonist may be needed. Administered IM or IV. (In a less emergent setting, administered PO [haloperidol only]). Haloperidol also has a monthly depot form (haloperidol decanoate) that is not useful for brief psychotic disorder because of short duration of the disorder. Depot antipsychotics are not intended for use in the emergent setting.

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Haloperidol (Haldol)

 

Controls psychosis and provides rapid tranquilization. Administer with a benzodiazepine to protect against lowered seizure threshold. In emergencies, select high-potency antipsychotic available in tab, liquid, or IM form. In author's experience, Haldol IV can be used effectively in small doses of 1-2 mg q8h for 2-3 d for acute psychotic agitation, and it can be continued PO for the next several d until symptoms completely subside. Note that IV route is also effective for delirium in case of difficulty differentiating brief psychotic disorder and delirium.

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Thiothixene (Navane)

 

Blocks postsynaptic blockade of CNS dopamine receptors, inhibiting dopamine-mediated effects. Provides rapid tranquilization in PO and IM forms.

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Risperidone (Risperdal)

 

Unlike haloperidol, risperidone has serotonergic blocking effects that alleviate negative symptoms of psychosis (eg, anhedonia, avolition, amotivation, flat affect). Well tolerated with fewer extrapyramidal adverse effects than with typical antipsychotics. Doses > 6 mg/d increase risk of extrapyramidal effects.

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Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

 

May inhibit serotonin, muscarinic, and dopamine effects. Efficacy similar to risperidone, fewer dose-dependent adverse effects but more concern about weight gain.

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Quetiapine (Seroquel)

 

May act by antagonizing dopamine and serotonin effects. Efficacy similar to risperidone and olanzapine. Fewer dose-dependent adverse effects and less concern of weight gain.

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Paliperidone (Invega)

 

Major active metabolite of risperidone and first oral agent allowing once-daily dosing. Indicated for treatment of acute schizophrenia. Mechanism of action not completely understood but thought to mediate central receptor antagonism of dopamine type 2 (D2) and serotonin type 2 (5HT2A). Also elicits antagonist activity at adrenergic alpha1 and alpha2 receptors and histamine-1 receptors. Has no affinity for cholinergic, muscarinic, or beta-adrenergic receptors. Available as extended-release drug delivery system via osmotic pressure.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Mohammed A Memon, MD  Chairman and Attending Geriatric Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, Spartanburg Regional Medical Center

Mohammed A Memon, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Medical Association, and American Psychiatric Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Michael F Larson, DO  Clinical Instructor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Psychiatrist, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and Private Practice

Michael F Larson, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and American Society of Addiction Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Alan D Schmetzer, MD  Professor Emeritus, Interim Chairman, Vice-Chair for Education, Associate Residency Training Director in General Psychiatry, Fellowship Training Director in Addiction Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine; Addiction Psychiatrist, Midtown Mental Health Cener at Wishard Health Services

Alan D Schmetzer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Academy of Clinical Psychiatrists, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, American Neuropsychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Association for Convulsive Therapy

Disclosure: Eli Lilly & Co. Grant/research funds Other

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Harold H Harsch, MD  Program Director of Geropsychiatry, Department of Geriatrics/Gerontology, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Medicine, Froedtert Hospital, Medical College of Wisconsin

Harold H Harsch, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Psychiatric Association

Disclosure: lilly Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Forest Labs None None; Pfizer Grant/research funds Speaking and teaching; Northstar None None; Novartis Grant/research funds research; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Sunovion Speaking and teaching; Otsuke Grant/research funds reseach; GlaxoSmithKline Grant/research funds research; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

David Bienenfeld, MD  Professor of Psychiatry, Vice-Chair and Director of Residency Training, Department of Psychiatry, Wright State University, Boonshoft School of Medicine

David Bienenfeld, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and Association for Academic Psychiatry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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