Neurocritical Care Medication Update

Managing neurocritical care patients is complex, especially when optimizing therapy during acute brain injury. Pharmacologic treatments must be chosen carefully to minimize cognitive side effects and avoid interfering with neurologic assessments.

Pharmacotherapy should be individualized, taking into account each patient’s age, comorbidities, and chronic medications. It’s also essential to consider how pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties may shift in acute illness and under neurocritical care interventions.

Pharmacokinetic changes can affect absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of medications. Pharmacodynamic changes may lead to diminished effectiveness or increased toxicity.

This talk will deliver practical pharmacotherapy strategies and clinical pearls to enhance care for neurocritical care patients.

1. Evaluate common medications used in the critical care setting, involved in the care of neuro patients. 
2. Assess appropriate use of medications for neurodiagnosis in the critical care setting. 
3. Choose the appropriate neuro agent, with consideration of the patient’s organ function, medication allergies, potential adverse drug effects, drug interactions, critical illness, and age-related pathophysiologic changes. 
4. Appraise the key pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics, advantages and disadvantages, and clinical pearls of the medication therapies. 

Credit eligibility by state, board, and more information can be found here: Neurocritical Care Medication Update