Midazolam with haloperidol versus lorazepam with haloperidol for agitation: Effect on emergency department lengths of stay

Emergency department (ED) encounters for acute agitation are common. Although nonpharmacologic interventions such as verbal de-escalation and patient engagement are first-line interventions for acute agitation, parenteral medications are often required to ensure safety and facilitate patient care. There is no consensus recommendation on pharmacologic agents for acute agitation, however emergency clinicians have historically utilized an anti-psychotic, benzodiazepine, and/or antihistamine - as monotherapy or in some combination.1,2.