Peds Psych Med Q

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Specializes in ER, CVICU, Rapid Response.

I have worked in the adult/peds ED for the last several years and recently switched to peds psych. I am getting myself familiarized with peds psych meds and need some clarification about some of the differering opinions out there in regards to the use of Benadryl IM for agitation. I understand that many of the older neuroleptics aren't used d/t greater risk of EPS in the pediatric patient. What I have noticed is that either a nurse is very strongly for the use of Bendadryl for this purpose, or vehemently opposed, without much explanation either way. Anyone have a clearer understanding as to why? Thanks!

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

It works really great on a lot of kids. But, if you every had one have the opposite effect you wont want to use it again! I have seen it make one kid extremely hyper and violent. I was much more cautious about giving it after that.

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It works really great on a lot of kids. But, if you every had one have the opposite effect you wont want to use it again! I have seen it make one kid extremely hyper and violent. I was much more cautious about giving it after that.

Agreed!!!!

By the way, if that's your Rottie in the picture, he's AWESOME! Gotta love a Rottie!!

Back to the topic in question....we use different meds depending on the child, his/her history, current meds, etc. Thorazine works well with some kids as does Haldol, or Ativan. I've seen some do well with Benadryl and some get more bonkers!

We deal with this issue regularly and it also depends on the doc's choice. Some are afraid to medicate. Personally, I don't want to get hurt by a kid who is throwing a piece of furniture while in a rage!!! Hope this helps!!

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.
Agreed!!!!

By the way, if that's your Rottie in the picture, he's AWESOME! Gotta love a Rottie!!

Back to the topic in question....we use different meds depending on the child, his/her history, current meds, etc. Thorazine works well with some kids as does Haldol, or Ativan. I've seen some do well with Benadryl and some get more bonkers!

We deal with this issue regularly and it also depends on the doc's choice. Some are afraid to medicate. Personally, I don't want to get hurt by a kid who is throwing a piece of furniture while in a rage!!! Hope this helps!!

Where I worked, ativan was not given to kids, only 12 and up. Kids were doing strange things like peeing in corners and stuff with it. Thorazine was given a lot of the time, and so was zyprexa zydis. I have been afraid of the Benadryl after that one kid went nuts on it. I hear ya on not wanting to get hurt by a kid while raging. Especially the adolescents, they can really do some damage!

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Specializes in pediatric critical care.

we rarely use benedryl for agitation on my unit, but being that i work in picu, many of our patients recieve ativan or versed iv instead. our child/adolescent inpatient psych unit does utilize benedryl at hs for sedative purposes, but i don't spend enough time there to know exact rationales for ordering it, or how often they see any eps. of the very few times i have given benedryl for sedative effects, i personally have never seen eps from it in peds.

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