What medications are effective for treating agitation without causing QT interval prolongation?

From the Research

Effective Medications for Treating Agitation without QT Interval Prolongation

The following medications are considered to have minimal risk of QTc interval prolongation:

• Aripiprazole 1, 2, 3
• Lurasidone 1, 3
• Clozapine 2, 3

Medications with Moderate Risk of QTc Interval Prolongation

The following medications may cause a moderate degree of QTc prolongation:

• Olanzapine 1, 4, 3
• Quetiapine 1, 2, 4, 3
• Risperidone 2, 3
• Haloperidol 1, 4, 3

Medications with Higher Risk of QTc Interval Prolongation

The following medications are more likely to cause QTc prolongation:

• Iloperidone 1, 3
• Ziprasidone 1, 4, 3
• Thioridazine 2
• Pimavanserin 5

Considerations for Medication Selection

When choosing a medication to treat agitation, it is essential to consider the individual patient's risk factors for QTc interval prolongation, such as genetic vulnerabilities, female sex, older age, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, electrolyte abnormalities, and non-psychiatric medications 1, 2, 3. Regular ECG monitoring and medication adjustments may be necessary to mitigate the risk of QTc prolongation 1, 3.