Phase III randomised double-blind controlled trial of oral risperidone, haloperidol or placebo with rescue subcutaneous midazolam for delirium management in palliative care

Aims: Guidelines recommend targeted use of antipsychotics in

delirium for specific symptoms however this approach has not

been evaluated in randomised trials. To compare the efficacy

of risperidone relative to placebo in the control of specific

delirium symptoms in palliative care patients (communication,

behaviour and/or perceptual disturbances on Nursing

Delirium Screening Scale) at 72 hours after study commencement.

Secondary aims were to compare haloperidol and

placebo; and risperidone and haloperidol.