Insomnia, agitation, and delirium commonly occur among elderly inpatients, and hospital providers frequently prescribe pharmacological sleep aids or sedatives. However, studies in older adults have shown that benzodiazepines and other sedative-hypnotics significantly increase the risk of morbidity (such as falls, delirium and hip fractures) and mortality. Use of these drugs should be avoided as first line treatment for the indications of insomnia, agitation, or delirium. Instead, other non- pharmacological alternatives should be considered first.
Conditions: Insomnia, Agitation, Delirium
Treatments: Benzodiazepines, Sedative, Hypnotics, Sleeping Pills, Pharmacological Sleep Aids
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Sources
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