Haloperidol vs. Valproate in Agitation

Haloperidol vs. Valproate in the Management of Agitated Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department: A Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of haloperidol and valproate in management of people with agitation in emergency department

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of psychomotor agitation
• aged 18 to 65 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant patients
• Severe liver disease
• History of drug (haloperidol/valproate) allergy
• Readily amendable causes for the agitation (hypoxemia or hypoglycemia)
• Hypotension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≤ 90 mm Hg)
• Known history of liver disease or uncontrolled diabetes
• Noticeable or suspected head trauma
• Previous history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Receiving psychotropic medication, neuroleptic agents or cholinesterase inhibitors at the time of enrollment