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Drugs, Delirium and Older People
Author(s) -
Britton Mary E
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of pharmacy practice and research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.222
H-Index - 22
eISSN - 2055-2335
pISSN - 1445-937X
DOI - 10.1002/j.2055-2335.2011.tb00869.x
Subject(s) - delirium , medicine , older people , neuropathology , psychiatry , intensive care medicine , gerontology , disease
Risk factors for delirium are common in older people, and they experience delirium more frequently than younger people. Delirium is associated with poor outcomes. This review explores the relationship between drugs and delirium based on our understanding of the neuropathology and neurotransmitter hypothesis of delirium. Also discussed, are the limitations of the evidence that certain drugs are causative or useful in the treatment and prevention of delirium. Since older people are the biggest users of drugs, the inextricable links between drugs and delirium make this subject pertinent in older people.