ISSN 0189-1774
 

Original Article
Online Published: 19 Apr 2025
 


Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.

Modupe Olugbemisola Motojesi, Ismail Olaiitan Adesina, Oluwasikemi Tejumoluwa Alalade, Tiwatayo Olufolahan Lasebikan, Obatomi Anuoluwa Alalade, Rachel Akutse Nyam Arum, Abimbola Oladapo Olanrewaju, Bosede Elizabeth Asishana, Chidinma Esther Okonkwo, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Opeyemi Eunice Olatunde, Elizabeth Oreoluwa Aderinmola.


Abstract
Background: Emergencies in psychiatry have a peculiar pattern of presentation, with florid aggression and agitation being very common. Such presentations may pose threats to the patients themselves, those around them, and the environment. The primary goal of intervention is to ensure the safety of the patient, personnel, and surroundings.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral medications—chlorpromazine, olanzapine, and diazepam—in calming patients during episodes of aggression.

Methods: This was a pragmatic randomized experimental study conducted at the emergency psychiatry department of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba. A total of 80 participants were enrolled. Benzodiazepines (diazepam) and antipsychotics (chlorpromazine and olanzapine) were administered individually or in combination and randomly assigned. Patients who did not achieve calmness within 60 minutes of administration were given parenteral medications. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires were used, alongside the Modified Overt Aggression Scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26.

Results: Over half of the participants (55%) responded well to oral tranquilization without requiring parenteral medications. Poor response to oral tranquilization, necessitating parenteral administration, was more common among participants aged 18–40 years (OR = 20.744, 95% CI = 3.608–11.268, p = 0.001), males (OR = 6.607, 95% CI = 1.664–26.235, p = 0.007), and those with substance use disorders (OR = 0.069, 95% CI = 0.009–0.506, p = 0.009).

Conclusion: Oral tranquilization was more successful among older patients, females, and those diagnosed with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Key words: : aggression, effectiveness, oral tranquilization, psychiatric emergency


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Motojesi MO, Adesina IO, Alalade OT, Lasebikan TO, Alalade OA, Arum RAN, Olanrewaju AO, Asishana BE, Okonkwo CE, Obembe OB, Olatunde OE, Aderinmola EO. Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.. NJP. Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655


Web Style

Motojesi MO, Adesina IO, Alalade OT, Lasebikan TO, Alalade OA, Arum RAN, Olanrewaju AO, Asishana BE, Okonkwo CE, Obembe OB, Olatunde OE, Aderinmola EO. Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.. https://nigerianjournalofpsychiatry.com/?mno=204655 [Access: September 08, 2025]. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Motojesi MO, Adesina IO, Alalade OT, Lasebikan TO, Alalade OA, Arum RAN, Olanrewaju AO, Asishana BE, Okonkwo CE, Obembe OB, Olatunde OE, Aderinmola EO. Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.. NJP. Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Motojesi MO, Adesina IO, Alalade OT, Lasebikan TO, Alalade OA, Arum RAN, Olanrewaju AO, Asishana BE, Okonkwo CE, Obembe OB, Olatunde OE, Aderinmola EO. Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.. NJP, [cited September 08, 2025]; Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655



Harvard Style

Motojesi, M. O., Adesina, . I. O., Alalade, . O. T., Lasebikan, . T. O., Alalade, . O. A., Arum, . R. A. N., Olanrewaju, . A. O., Asishana, . B. E., Okonkwo, . C. E., Obembe, . O. B., Olatunde, . O. E. & Aderinmola, . E. O. (2024) Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.. NJP, Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655



Turabian Style

Motojesi, Modupe Olugbemisola, Ismail Olaiitan Adesina, Oluwasikemi Tejumoluwa Alalade, Tiwatayo Olufolahan Lasebikan, Obatomi Anuoluwa Alalade, Rachel Akutse Nyam Arum, Abimbola Oladapo Olanrewaju, Bosede Elizabeth Asishana, Chidinma Esther Okonkwo, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Opeyemi Eunice Olatunde, and Elizabeth Oreoluwa Aderinmola. 2024. Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655



Chicago Style

Motojesi, Modupe Olugbemisola, Ismail Olaiitan Adesina, Oluwasikemi Tejumoluwa Alalade, Tiwatayo Olufolahan Lasebikan, Obatomi Anuoluwa Alalade, Rachel Akutse Nyam Arum, Abimbola Oladapo Olanrewaju, Bosede Elizabeth Asishana, Chidinma Esther Okonkwo, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Opeyemi Eunice Olatunde, and Elizabeth Oreoluwa Aderinmola. "Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Motojesi, Modupe Olugbemisola, Ismail Olaiitan Adesina, Oluwasikemi Tejumoluwa Alalade, Tiwatayo Olufolahan Lasebikan, Obatomi Anuoluwa Alalade, Rachel Akutse Nyam Arum, Abimbola Oladapo Olanrewaju, Bosede Elizabeth Asishana, Chidinma Esther Okonkwo, Olajide Benjamin Obembe, Opeyemi Eunice Olatunde, and Elizabeth Oreoluwa Aderinmola. "Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.." Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. Web. 08 Sep 2025 doi:10.5455/NJP.204655



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Motojesi, M. O., Adesina, . I. O., Alalade, . O. T., Lasebikan, . T. O., Alalade, . O. A., Arum, . R. A. N., Olanrewaju, . A. O., Asishana, . B. E., Okonkwo, . C. E., Obembe, . O. B., Olatunde, . O. E. & Aderinmola, . E. O. (2024) Effectiveness of oral tranquilization in the management of aggression in a specialist psychiatric emergency setting.. Nigerian Journal of Psychiatry, Online First: 19 Apr, 2025. doi:10.5455/NJP.204655