Cyproheptadine for the Prevention of Postoperative Delirium: A Pilot Study. (March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohammadi, Mostafa; Ahmadi, Motahareh; Khalili, Hossein; Cheraghchi, Horiyeh; Arbabi, Mohammad
• Is Part Of: Annals of pharmacotherapy. Volume 50:Number 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 180
• Page End: 187
• Publication Date: 2016-03
• Subjects: delirium -- cyproheptadine -- prevention -- noncardiac surgery; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.5805
• DOI: 10.1177/1060028015624938
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1060-0280

Abstract

Background: Postoperative delirium is a common neurobehavioral complication after major surgeries. There is no conclusive approach for prevention of delirium in these patients.Objective: In this study, efficacy of cyproheptadine for prevention of postoperative delirium was evaluated.Methods: Delirium status of surgical patients was evaluated postoperatively at the time of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM-ICU) scale. Patients without delirium were assigned to the cyproheptadine or placebo group based on the simple randomization method. Patients received cyproheptadine or placebo tablet at a dose of 4 mg 3 times per day for 7 days. Patients were monitored daily for incidence of delirium.Results: Changes in the incidence rates of delirium over time during the study phase ( P = 0.04) and between the groups showed statistically significant differences ( P = 0.029). However, severity of delirium was not significantly different between the cyproheptadine and placebo groups during the study period.Conclusion: It seems that cyproheptadine with its diverse effects can be a potential option for prevention of postoperative delirium. In this pilot study, cyproheptadine significantly decreased the incidence but not severity of postoperative delirium.