title: [Drug-related delirium in elderly patients].
abstract: Drugs have been widely associated with the development of delirium in the elderly and represent the most common reversible cause of this condition. This is of importance since successful treatment depends on identifying the reversible contributing factors. Medications with anticholinergic properties, tranquilizers, analgesics and narcotics are common causes of drug-induced delirium. This article provides practical approach to prevent and recognise this condition, reviews the underlying neurotransmitter imbalances and reconsiders age-related changes of pharmacological effects, which may contribute to the development of delirium.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Geriatrie, Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Iglseder
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Akutgeriatrie/Remobilisation, Landeskrankenhaus Gmunden, Gmunden, Austria.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dovjak
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Innere Medizin und Akutgeriatrie, Landeskrankenhaus Hochzirl, Zirl, Austria.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Benvenuti-Falger
authors.affiliation: Anstaltsapotheke, Krankenhaus Hietzing mit Neurologischem Zentrum Rosenhügel, Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Birgit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Böhmdorfer
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Innere Medizin und Akutgeriatrie, Landeskrankenhaus Hochzirl, Zirl, Austria.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lechleitner
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Medizinische Universität Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Regina E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Roller
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Akutgeriatrie, Krankenhaus Hietzing mit Neurologischem Zentrum Rosenhügel, Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sommeregger
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Innere Medizin und Akutgeriatrie, Landeskrankenhaus Hochzirl, Zirl, Austria. markus.gosch@tilak.at.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gosch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003693:Delirium / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D014149:Tranquilizing Agents