Rapid tranquillization agents for severe behavioural disturbance: a survey of African psychiatrists' prescription patterns

Abstract

Guidelines on the use of rapid tranquillizers for severe behavioural disturbance have changed over the last six decades. This survey reports a minimal change in the prescription patterns among psychiatrists sampled from Africa. Parenteral chlorpromazine and diazepam are still commonly prescribed, the least being intramuscular lorazepam, olanzapine and promethazine. Respondents indicated that drug availability was more likely than prescription preference or cost to influence their choices. They were also equally concerned about the tranquillizer's side effects, its ability to provide rapid and sustained sedation and its ability to calm a patient while awaiting psychiatric assessment.