Haloperidol overdosing in the treatment of agitated hospitalized older people with delirium: a retrospective chart review from a community teaching hospital.

Background: Practice guidelines recommend the use of low dose haloperidol when medication is needed to treat delirium with acute agitation in hospitalized older people. Despite this, high dose haloperidol may frequently be used and result in higher rates of complications.

Objective: To describe dosages and effects of haloperidol used in the initial treatment of delirium with acute agitation in hospitalized older people, and prescriber use of low and high dose haloperidol.