Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation and Research Center, Medical College of Virginia, Box 980661, Richmond, VA 23098-0661, USA | [b] Department of Psychiatry, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA | Stroke Rehabilitation Services, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Abstract: Agitation following brain injury is a significant and difficult problem; severe agitiation is most effectively treated by concurrent environmental, behavioral, and pharmacologic interventions. Delirium and agitation are briefly compared, however, a more thorough discussion of this topic appears in other articles within this issue. This article reviews the current literature in regard to practical pharmacologic interventions for agitation following brain injury and outlines short-term and long-term strategies. Common and serious side effects, as well as unique characteristics for each medication are highlighted.
