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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

Published on: February 6, 2021

Delirium and its treatment.

Azizah Attard¹, Gopinath Ranjith, David Taylor

¹Pharmacy Department and Psychiatric Liaison Services Department, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, England.

|July 8, 2008

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Delirium affects 10-30% of hospital admissions, increasing mortality and hospital stays. Antipsychotics, particularly haloperidol, are key treatments, with benzodiazepines like lorazepam used for specific cases.

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Last Updated: Jul 3, 2026

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

SECONDs Administration Guidelines: A Fast Tool to Assess Consciousness in Brain-injured Patients

Published on: February 6, 2021

Area of Science:

Geriatric Medicine
Neuroscience
Pharmacology

Background:

Delirium is common in hospital admissions (10-30%), indicating poor prognosis with increased mortality and length of stay.
The multifactorial etiology of delirium is best understood through the stress-diathesis model, highlighting vulnerability and precipitating factors.
Prevention is the most effective strategy, though environmental interventions are underutilized.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the pharmacological management of delirium.
To discuss the efficacy and safety of various antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in treating delirium symptoms.
To provide guidance on first-line and alternative pharmacotherapies for different types of delirium.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies on delirium treatment.
Analysis of clinical trial data for antipsychotics (typical and atypical) and benzodiazepines.
Evaluation of drug properties, including route of administration, metabolism, and side effect profiles.

Main Results:

Antipsychotics are effective for hyperactive and hypoactive delirium, improving cognition. Haloperidol is a first-line agent due to its administration flexibility and favorable side effect profile.
Atypical antipsychotics like risperidone and olanzapine show promise with lower risks of over-sedation and movement disorders.
Lorazepam is the preferred benzodiazepine for managing delirium uncontrolled by antipsychotics or for withdrawal syndromes, due to its pharmacokinetic profile.

Conclusions:

Pharmacological interventions, primarily antipsychotics, are crucial for managing delirium symptoms.
Haloperidol and specific atypical antipsychotics (risperidone, olanzapine) are recommended, while lorazepam is the benzodiazepine of choice for specific indications.
Further research is needed for other agents like aripiprazole and quetiapine, as current data is limited.