J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2011 Jun;15(1):31-37.

Comparison of Efficacy and Side Effects between Aripiprazole and Haloperidol in the Treatment of Delirium

• Lee SH
• Park SJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To compare the efficacy and the safety of aripiprazole and haloperidol in the treatment of patients with delirium.
METHODS
26 patients with delirium were randomized to receive either aripiprazole or haloperidol and finally 20 patients were analyzed. We collected demographic and clinical data. The Korean Version of Delirium Rating Scale-revised-98 (K-DRS-98) and Korean Version of Drug Induced Extrapyramidal Symptom Scale (DIEPSS-K) were assessed. Blood samples were collected to analyze serum sodium ion concentration, plasma cortisol and prolactin level and pulse oximetry was used for measuring oxygen saturation.
RESULTS
K-DRS-98 severity scores decreased in both groups significantly over the study period, but no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. No significant extrapyramidal syndromes were noted in both groups, but the use of haloperidol was associated with increased plasma prolactin level (From 24.0+/-28.1 ng/mL to 32.0+/-20.0 ng/mL, p=0.005).
CONCLUSION
Aripiprazole is as effective as haloperidol in the treatment of delirium and aripiprazole may be safer than haloperidol in that haloperidol is associated with increased plasma prolactin level.

Keyword

Delirium; Aripiprazole; Haloperidol; K-DRS-98; Extrapyramidal syndrome; Hyperprolactinemia

MeSH Terms

Delirium
Haloperidol
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Hyperprolactinemia
Oximetry
Oxygen
Piperazines
Plasma
Prolactin
Quinolones
Sodium
Aripiprazole
Haloperidol
Hydrocortisone
Oxygen
Piperazines
Prolactin
Quinolones
Sodium