Medications to Avoid in a Patient at Risk for Delirium

Patient selection: presence of risk factors for delirium or actual delirium

Drugs that may trigger delirium and should be avoided:

(1) benzodiazepines

(2) opioid analgesics

(3) antihistamine H1 antagonists (diphenhydramine)

(4) dihydropyridines (nifedipine)

Drugs that may be problematic for some patients:

(1) tricyclic antidepressants

(2) antiparkinson medications

(3) H2 antagonists

(4) NSAIDS

(5) corticosteroids

(6) oxybutynin

Additional concerns:

(1) Untreated pain can trigger delirium.

(2) Factors other than drugs can trigger delirium.