OMG Halcion

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

One of more 'feisty' residents just returned from a hospital stay...briefly stated she threw herself out of her wheel chair and broke her nose (also somehow sustaining a pneumothorax???From a broken nose???). At any rate she has multiple behaviors. They sent her back with an order for HALCION every night with a repeat if needed AND Ambien AND PRN Haldol.

Do any of you still use Halcion? It is very addictive and has tons of side effects. I thought it went out of use in the elderly population years ago.

[Nascar nurse, ASN, RN]

No we don't use it and haven't for years. No way I would even think of giving it or the Haldol. We get those kind of orders changed ASAP and just pray "we" see it before a newer nurse starts "dosing" it out.

From my experience, these orders come for a Doc without much knowledge of LTC regs or adverse drug effects in elderly. I would call primary Doc and get order changed.

Good luck

PS: How do you get a pneumothorax from a broken nose. Did someone mean broken rib?

[Summer69]

Update on Haldol. I recently went to a seminar on F329(unnecessary drugs). Hospice is allowed to give Haldol for endstage COPD. Could the Haldol somehow be connected to the pnuemothoax and some extremely bright MD:idea: thought is is similar to COPD ? Ya know old people are all the same.

[Hopeslayer]

We have one resident on our alzheimer's unit that is on a very small dose. The resident was put on haldol only after everything else failed to curb violent behavior.

Until recently we actually had 2 residents on haldol. So it does seem to be making a comeback.

[Liberty Bellpn]

I see haldol occasionally, but Halcion!

The knock out of knock out drugs. I'd hate to give it to an elderly patient...

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

Update on Haldol. I recently went to a seminar on F329(unnecessary drugs). Hospice is allowed to give Haldol for endstage COPD. Could the Haldol somehow be connected to the pnuemothoax and some extremely bright MD:idea: thought is is similar to COPD ? Ya know old people are all the same.

This woman wasn't on Haldol when she left us and doesn't have COPD. The PA wouldn't change any of the orders until he speaks to the PCP who is on vacation. Luckily the Haldol (2mg every hour PRN agitation PO or IM) hasn't been needed and neither has the Halcion.

[Hopeslayer]

Luckily the Haldol (2mg every hour PRN agitation PO or IM) hasn't been needed and neither has the Halcion.

Holy over medication batman!

[marjoriemac, LPN]

Never seen halcion used in uk but haldol (haloperidol) has been used a fair bit. I personally think the side effects are generally too bad even with a tiny dose.

[nightmare, RN]

Haloperidol seems to have made a come back ever since they started linking an increased risk of stroke with risperidol.