title: Optimizing drug therapy in the surgical intensive care unit.
abstract: This article provides a review of commonly prescribed medications in the surgical ICU, focusing on sedatives, antipsychotics, neuromuscular blocking agents, cardiovascular agents, anticoagulants, and antibiotics. A brief overview of pharmacology is followed by practical considerations to aid prescribers in selecting the best therapy within a given category of drugs to optimize patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Peppard
authors.forename: Sarah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Peppard
authors.forename: Lewis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Somberg
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000592:standards; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs