Aripiprazole in the treatment of delirium.
OBJECTIVE
Delirium is a common condition frequently seen in consultation-liaison psychiatry. It is especially common among medically compromised patients, and is an indicator of the severity of the medical illness. In addition, it is associated with a higher morbidity, mortality, and longer hospitalization. Traditionally, haloperidol has been used to treat agitation as it may occur in delirium. However, atypical antipsychotics are being increasingly used to treat delirium.


METHODS
In this article, we will describe two cases of delirium successfully treated with aripiprazole.


RESULTS
Both patients had significant improvement in their delirium as measured by the delirium rating scale.


CONCLUSIONS
Aripiprazole appears to be effective in reducing the symptoms of delirium.
Alao
Adekola O
AO
Division of Consulation-Liaison Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA. Alaoa@upstate.edu
Soderberg
Maureen
M
Pohl
Elyssa L
EL
Koss
Marvin
M