title: Olanzapine vs haloperidol: treating delirium in a critical care setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the safety and estimate the response profile of olanzapine, a second-generation antipsychotic, to haloperidol in the treatment of delirium in the critical care setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective randomized trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary care university affiliated critical care unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  All admissions to a medical and surgical intensive care unit with a diagnosis of delirium.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized to receive either enteral olanzapine or haloperidol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient's delirium severity and benzodiazepine use were monitored over 5 days after the diagnosis of delirium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Delirium Index decreased over time in both groups, as did the administered dose of benzodiazepines. Clinical improvement was similar in both treatment arms. No side effects were noted in the olanzapine group, whereas the use of haloperidol was associated with extrapyramidal side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Olanzapine is a safe alternative to haloperidol in delirious critical care patients, and may be of particular interest in patients in whom haloperidol is contraindicated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Maisonneuve Rosemont Hospital, Université de Montreal, 5415 boul de l'Assomption, Montreal, Quebec H1T 2M4, Canada. skrobiky@total.net
authors.forename: Yoanna K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Skrobik
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bergeron
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dumont
authors.forename: Stewart B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Gottfried
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003693:Delirium / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D006220:Haloperidol; D000077152:Olanzapine