Intensive care at a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) traditionally includes the treatment of severely ill psychiatric patients with suicidal or violent behavior [1].

A chart review was performed including 100 consecutive inpatients (52% females, age: 45.7 ± 17.8 years) treated at the Viennese PICU between 2008–2009.

Psychopharmacotherapy and the rate of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in these patients is reported here.

87% of patients were treated with antipsychotics: 44% with quetiapine (447.7 ± 421 mg), 32% with risperidone (4.3 ± 2.3 mg), 25% with olanzapine (16.9 ± 7.5 mg), 20% with haloperidol (10.5 ± 5.4 mg), 16% with aripiprazole (15 ± 8.4 mg), 6% clozapine (416.7 ± 147.2 mg) and 3% ziprasidone (120 ± 56.6 mg). 36% of patients received treatment with mood stabilizers: 15% with valproic acid, 8% with lamotrigine, 6% with lithium, 4% with pregabaline, 3% with topiramate, 2% with gabapentine and 2% with oxcarbazepine. In 49% of patients antidepressants were prescribed: in 23% selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, in 12% selective dual acting reuptake inhibitors, in 5% tricyclic antidepressants and in 33% other antidepressants (mostly trazodone or mirtazapine). 84% of patients were treated with benzodiazepines (30.3 ± 22.4 mg diazepam equivalents), in 17% the opioid nalbuphin was applied. Intravenous psychopharmacotherapy was used in 31% of cases. 10% of patients received ECT.

Psychotropic compounds with sedative properties are frequently used at the Viennese PICU. However, the dosages for antipsychotics do not appear to be higher than on normal psychiatric wards.