Members are discussing the practice of mixing Haldol, Benadryl, and Ativan in the same syringe for psychiatric patients. Some members have been doing this without issues for years, while others have concerns about potential negative outcomes, such as precipitate formation or changes in medication effectiveness. There is also mention of alternative medications like Geodon and Zyprexa being used in certain situations.
I've been working in psych for almost 2 years. I've been putting haldol, benadryl and ativan in the same syringe for the entire time I've been working this specialty. I remember asking about this when I first started and told you can. I've never seen it precipitate so I've never thought twice about it.
Tonight, a coworker - with whom I've been working the entire time - gave benadryl separate and said she read something back in the mid '90s about not mixing these two drugs. (First, I'm kinda annoyed that I've been working with her over a year, she's seen me mix them and never said anything, but that's besides the point).
Does anyone else mix these in the same syringe and had precipitate or negative outcomes?
I know this is an old blog, but we call that a B52, and we mix it all! :)
At my facility, we do combine Haldol and Ativan together and give Benadryl by itself.
MentalRn
34 Posts
I agree with the above post. I always have mixed the haldol w/the ativan, and given the benadryl by itself. When I'm not sure about mixing something I always call the pharmacy.