Physostigmine is superior to non-antidote therapy in the management of antimuscarinic delirium: a prospective study from a regional poison center

AbstractContext: Poison centers (PCs) frequently manage patients with antimuscarinic delirium. However, controversy surrounds the antidotal use of physostigmine for its treatment. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate physostigmine versus non-antidote therapy for the management of antimuscarinic delirium in a single regional PC.Methods: This was a prospective observational analysis of patients diagnosed with antimuscarinic delirium and treated in consultation with a regional PC. Certified Specialists in Poison Information (CSPIs) use a clinical guideline to recommend the use of physostigmine. Using a previously derived altered mental status score, we quantified the rate of delirium improvement with physostigmine compared to non-antidote therapy two hours after initial patient identification. We also recorded adverse events (defined a priori as bradycardia, vomiting, seizures) and resource utilization (intubation and physical restraint).Results: We identified 245 patients and included 154 ...