Should a patient who appears to affected by delirium be taking pain meds?

Delirium: Patient's with delirium can be difficult to treat with various medication h2 blockers such as ranitidine may cause delirium. The cause of the delirium should be determined and the medications should be adjusted for the patient's safety. Delirium is not a permanent condition.

Best not: A major cause of inpatient post-operative delirium is the usage of fentanyl or Demerol (meperidine hydrochloride) in older patients, as "pain meds" possess significant anti-cholinergic effects. Would not be surprised by a triggering of confusion and agitation if such meds are used in a susceptible individual. However, there are occasions where tough choices must be made, and this requires group conferences with the doctor.

Depends: Both pain and pain medicines can contribute to delirium. Ask the clinicians working with the person.

Depends: Delirium due to alcohol or drug withdrawal is treated differently than delirium (acute brain failure). If due to "acute brain failure", we look for modifiable precipitants to address while also understanding the innate vulnerabilities to delirium that a person may have. Untreated pain can aggravate delirium. Pain meds are often scapegoated as causative but the evidence does not support it.