What is the primary therapy for idiosyncratic reactions to Haldol or phenothiazine medications?

The primary therapy for idiosyncratic reactions to Haldol or phenothiazine medications is Benadryl. These medications can sometimes cause extrapyramidal symptoms or acute dystonic reactions, which are involuntary muscle contractions or spasms. Benadryl, an antihistamine, is effective because it possesses anticholinergic properties that help alleviate these symptoms by counteracting the side effects induced by antipsychotics, specifically those related to dopamine blockade.

In this context, it serves as a key intervention in treating the adverse effects that may arise from the use of antipsychotic medications, particularly in acute scenarios where the patient is experiencing distress due to the reaction. Other options, while they may have therapeutic roles in different contexts, do not specifically address the acute management of these idiosyncratic reactions. Adrenaline is used in anaphylactic reactions, Ativan is a benzodiazepine that might help with anxiety or seizure control, and Tylenol is used for pain and fever relief, but they would not be effective in treating the specific muscular symptoms resulting from Haldol or phenothiazine.