Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

BEHAVIOURAL EMERGENCIES 115
Oral medication, especially in liquid form, is the
preferred mode of administration, if the patient will accept
it, but intramuscular or intravenous routes may have to
be used.
Antipsychotics, such as chlorpromazine should be avoided
in alcohol withdrawal states, in alcoholics or in those dependent
on benzodiazepines because of the risk of causing fits.
Ensure resuscitation facilities including those for mechanical
ventilation are available. Many centres insist on the
a vailability of flumazenil if (particularly i.v.) benzodiazepines
are used.
FURTHER READING
Anon. Which atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia? Drugs and
Therapeutics Bulletin 2004; 42: 57–60.
Freedman R. Drug therapy: schizophrenia. New England Journal of
Medicine 2003; 334: 1738–49.