Table 3.

Selected examples of clinical circumstances described in the medical records that motivated the prescription of potentially inappropriate medications during hospitalization in intensive care units

• Use of amiodarone for the restoration of sinus rhythm in critically ill patients with hemodynamically unstable atrial fibrillation and to control the ventricular response in patients with atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response.

• Use of haloperidol to control agitation or psychotic symptoms in the patient with delirium.

• Digoxin for cardiomyopathy, serious and/or refractory.

• Antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia in the acute phase (psychotic relapse), and benzodiazepines to manage agitation.

• Use of benzodiazepines in cases of drug and alcohol withdrawal.

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines for panic disorder.