Table 2 Selected drugs for the treatment of delirium (in alphabetical order per class)
drug | dose |  | antagonism | anti-psychotic | sedating | dementia | parkinson’s | caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neuroleptic drugs | ||||||||
 clozapine | 25 mg | 0–0-1 | 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, α1 | + | + | + | + | Risk of agranulocytosis |
 haloperidol | 1 mg | 1–0-1 | D2 | +++ | – | – | – | no i.v. application |
 melperone | 25–50 mg | (1)-0–1 | D2, α1 | + | ++ | – | – | Dose depending on agitation level, available in several EU countries |
 pipamperone | 40 mg | (1)-0–1 | 5-HT2A, D4, α1 | + | ++ | + | – | Dose depending on agitation level |
 quetiapine | 25–50 mg | (1)-0–1 | 5-HT2A, D2 | + | ++ | + | + | Dose depending on agitation level |
 risperidone | 0,5–1 mg | 1–0-1 | D2, 5-HT2A | +++ | – | + | – | Dose reduction in renal insufficiency |
α2-Agonists | ||||||||
 clonidine | 1.5–2.5 μg/kg/h |  | α2 (agonist) |  | +++ | + | + | ICU, bradycardia |
 dexmedetomidine | 0.7 μg/kg/h |  | α2 (agonist) | – | +++ | + | + | ICU, bradycardia, contraindication stroke |
Benzodiazepines | ||||||||
 diazepam | 5 mg | prn | GABAA | – | +++ | – | – | short term |
 lorazepam | 0.5–1 mg | prn | GABA | – | +++ | – | – | short term |
 midazolam | 7.5–15 mg | prn | GABAA | – | +++ | – | – | short term |
 oxazepam | 10 mg | prn | GABAA | −2 | +++ | – | – | short term |