Delirium

Acute disturbance of attention and consciousness with fluctuating course; develops on the background of medical illness, intoxication, or withdrawal. Common in elderly post-surgery.

ICD-10 F051 drug

Also known as: Acute confusional state

Drugs used for this condition

BHaloperidolCase-by-case decision · First-generation antipsychotics. Butyrophenone derivativesLow-dose haloperidol (0.5–2 mg orally or IM) is used for symptomatic management of delirium with severe agitation, psychotic features, or risk of self-harm. A 2018 Cochrane systematic review showed no advantage of antipsychotics over placebo for delirium duration or mortality. Use is individual and time-limited.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit