Which medications are listed as delirium treatment?

• A. Chlorpromazine, haloperidol
• B. Dexmedetomidine hydrochloride
• C. Haloperidol and lorazepam
• D. Ramelteon

Answer: (A)

Delirium treatment centers on calming agitation and reducing distress while treating the underlying cause, and antipsychotics have long been the go-to option for this symptom control. The combination of chlorpromazine and haloperidol represents two typical antipsychotics that are commonly used to manage delirium-related agitation and psychosis. They act quickly to reduce extreme agitation, aggression, and disorganized thinking, which helps patients withstand necessary medical care.

Dexmedetomidine is useful as an ICU sedative to help control agitation during delirium, but it isn’t considered the standard first-line delirium treatment in most guidelines; it’s typically used as an adjunct for sedation rather than as the primary delirium-targeted therapy. Benzodiazepines like lorazepam can worsen delirium in many cases, so pairing haloperidol with lorazepam is generally avoided unless there’s a withdrawal stimulus or another specific indication. Ramelteon is a melatonin receptor agonist used primarily for sleep disorders, and although sleep quality can influence delirium, ramelteon is not a standard treatment for delirium itself.