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Medication Causes of Delirium in the Elderly

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Medication Causes of Delirium in the Elderly, Drug-Induced Delirium in Older Adults, Altered Mental Status due to Medications in Geriatric Patients

  • See Also
  1. Delirium
  2. Altered Level of Consciousness
  3. Polypharmacy
  4. Medications to Avoid in Older Adults (Beers List, STOPP)
  • Causes
  1. Anticholinergic Medications
    1. See Anticholinergic Medications
    2. Antihistamines (e.g. Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Meclizine)
    3. Muscle relaxants (e.g. Cyclobenzaprine, Methocarbamol, carisprodol)
    4. Tricyclic Antidepressants
  2. Opioids and Sedatives
    1. Opioid Analgesics (e.g. Oxycodone, Hydrocodone)
    2. Benzodiazepines (e.g. Alprazolam, Lorazepam, Diazepam, Zolpidem)
  3. Endocrine Medications
    1. Diabetes Mellitus Medications (Oral Hypoglycemics, Insulin)
    2. Corticosteroids
  4. Neurologic and Psychiatric Medications
    1. Dopamine Agonists
    2. Anticonvulsants
    3. Antipsychotics
  5. Miscellaneous
    1. Antiemetics (Phenergan, Compazine)
    2. Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g. Nifedipine, Amlodipine)
    3. Diuretics (e.g. Furosemide, Spironolactone, Hydrochlorothiazide)
    4. Antibiotics (e.g. Fluoroquinolones, Macrolides)
  • References
  1. Khoujah and Magidson (2016) Crit Dec Emerg Med 30(10): 3-10
  2. Jaqua (2023) Am Fam Physician 108(3): 278-87 [PubMed]