Registered Nurses´ Association of Ontario
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Medications Known to Contribute to Delirium in Older Adults
| Mnemonic: Drug Category | Examples of Drugs | |
|---|---|---|
| A | Antiparkinsonian drugs | Trihexyphenidyl, Benzatropine, Bromocriptine, Levadopa, Selegiline (deprenyl) |
| C | Corticosteroids | Prednisolone |
| U | Urinary incontinence drugs | Oxybutinin (Ditropan), Flavoxate (Urispas) |
| T | Theophylline | Theophylline |
| E | Emptying drugs (motility drugs) | Metoclopramide (Reglan), Prepulsid (Cisapride) |
| C | Cardiovascular drugs (including anti-hypertensives) | Digoxin, Quinidine, Methadopa, Reserpine, Beta Blockers (Propanolol - to a less amount), Diuretics, Ace inhibitors (Captopril & Enalapril), Calcium Channel antagonists (Nifedipine, Verapamil & Diltiazem) |
| H | H2 blockers | Cimetidine (uncommon on its own but  risk with renal impairment), Ranitidine |
| A | Antimicrobials | Cephalosporins, Penicillin, Quinolones & others |
| N | N SAIDS | Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, as well as * salicylate compounds |
| G | Geropsychiatry drugs |
|
| E | ENT drugs | Antihistamines/decongestants/cough syrups in over-the-counter preparations |
| I | Insomnia | Nitrazepam, Flurazepam, Diazepam, Temazepam |
| N | N arcotics | Meperdine, Pentazocine (risky) |
| M | Muscle relaxants | Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), Methocarbamol (Robaxin) |
| S | Seizure drugs | Phenytoin, Primidone |
, Imipramine, Nortriptyline)* This is a table noting some examples of possible medications that can contribute to delirium. It is the physiological status of the older adult and the combination of medications, among other factors that increase risk. Therefore: "Watch and Beware".
Reprinted from Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 14(1), Flaherty, J.H., Commonly prescribed and over-the counter medications: Causes of confussion, pp. 101-125, copyright (1998), with permission from Elsevier.
