Psychopharmacologic side effects and drug interactions of importance in the critical care unit

For physicians working in critical care settings, a thorough knowledge of the appropriate use of psychoactive medications is essential. Patients in such settings frequently experience symptoms of delirium, depression, and anxiety and will benefit from appropriate use of psychotropic medications. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anxiolytics all have a number of clinically significant side effects and are associated with frequent drug interactions. An understanding of the uses and limitations of these psychoactive medications in treating psychiatric symptoms should prove invaluable.