This review suggests that both benzodiazepines work , but that midazolam has a faster onset and thereby reduces the risk of exposure to violence .
Most evidence , however , exists for the haloperidol plus promethazine mix , with currently more than 400 people r and omised to the combination .
The onset of action is swift and faster than lorazepam .
The combination also seems safe with no clear longer term consequences .
BACKGROUND Health services often manage agitated or violent people and for emergency psychiatric services such behaviour is particularly prevalent ( 10 % ) .
The drugs used in this situation should ensure that the person swiftly and safely becomes calm .
OBJECTIVES To examine whether haloperidol plus promethazine is an effective treatment for psychosis induced agitation/aggression .
The Overt Agitation Severity Scale for the objective rating of agitation.
Two studies tested the reliability and validity of the  Overt Agitation Severity Scale ( OASS )  , a new instrument developed to define and objective ly rate the severity of  agitated behavior . The authors postulate that agitation should be conceptualized as vocal and motor behaviors on a continuum of expressions that extends from anxiety to aggression . Content validity through expert agreement was achieved in the development of test construction over a 2-year period . Results of two pilot studies ( n = 25 and n = 14 subjects ) established the reliability and validity of the OASS  to measure agitation severity . The OASS differs from other agitation scales in that it confines its rating exclusively to observable behavioral manifestations of agitation
This review suggests that both benzodiazepines work , but that midazolam has a faster onset and thereby reduces the risk of exposure to violence .
Most evidence , however , exists for the haloperidol plus promethazine mix , with currently more than 400 people r and omised to the combination .
The onset of action is swift and faster than lorazepam .
The combination also seems safe with no clear longer term consequences .
BACKGROUND Health services often manage agitated or violent people and for emergency psychiatric services such behaviour is particularly prevalent ( 10 % ) .
The drugs used in this situation should ensure that the person swiftly and safely becomes calm .
OBJECTIVES To examine whether haloperidol plus promethazine is an effective treatment for psychosis induced agitation/aggression .