Adverse Events Associated with Sedatives, Analgesics, and Other Drugs That Provide Patient Comfort in the Intensive Care Unit

Richard R. Riker, and Gilles L. Fraser

Pharmacotherapy 2005;25

Since the 2002 publication of multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines has been reported for intensive care unit (ICU) sedation and analgesia and additional information regarding adverse drug events. Our understanding of the risks associated with these sedative and analgesic agents promises to improve outcomes helping clinicians identify and respond to therapeutic misadventures sooner. This review focuses on many issues, including the potentially fatal consequences associated with the propofol infusion syndrome, the evolving understanding of propylene glycol intoxication associated with parenteral lorazepam, new datas involving high-dose and longterm dexmedetomidine therapy, haloperidol and methadone-related prolongation of QTc intervals on the electrocardiogram, adverse events associated with atypical antipsychotics and the potential for nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs to interfere with bone healing.

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