According to the findings of a new study, Ramelteon may be effective for treating delirium in older hospitalized patients.
Ramelteon May Be Effective for Treating Delirium
June 1, 2015
Ramelteon may be effective for treating delirium in older hospitalized patients, according to the findings of a new study. There is currently no effective treatment for delirium, which can affect up to 30% of patients older than 65 years of age at some time during a hospitalization. In a small study, 67 patients ages 65-89 years who were newly admitted to the hospital for serious medical problems were randomized to ramelteon 8 mg per day or placebo every night for 7 nights. Ramelteon was associated with a lower risk of delirium (3% vs 32%; P = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier estimates of time to development of delirium were about a day longer with ramelteon (6.94 vs 5.74). The authors feel that ramelteon administered nightly to elderly patients admitted for acute care may provide protection against delirium. Since ramelteon is a melatonin agonist, these findings support possible pathogenic role of melatonin neurotransmission in delirium (JAMA 2015;313:1745-1746; doi:10.1001/jama.2014.17394).
According to the findings of a new study, Ramelteon may be effective for treating delirium in older hospitalized patients.
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