Abstract
The Role of Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonists (DORAs) in Preventing Delirium: AMeta-analysis and Systematic Review
Pages: 35-47
Category: Original Research
Published Date: 30-12-2025
Dulce Corpuz Gregorio-Talavera
Keywords:
Dual Orexin receptor antagonist; Suvorexant and lemborexant; prevention of delirium
Abstract:
Delirium is defined as a neurological incapacity that is acute in nature and usually subside after some time. It is one of the most serious metabolic disorders that is usuallyattributedtoawiderangeofcomplications.Deliriumhasbeenlinkedtodualorexin receptor antagonists (DORAs); medications commonly prescribed to treat insomnia. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of DORAdrugs, Suvorexant and Lemborexant in delirium prevention. Methods: We conducted a literature search on PUBMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library electronic databases among others from inception to September 1, 2024. Published papers on dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORA) in delirium prevention that have met the eligibility criteria were included for data extraction and quality assessment. Results: From the evaluated studies with 930 patients of who 132 were on Suvorexant and 58 on Lemborexant. We pooled this evidence and identified that the incidence of delirium is significantlylow in patients treated with Dora medications as compared to non-users. Conclusions: Dual orexin receptor antagonists were effective in preventing delirium in critically ill patients. Prospective studies are needed for confirmation of these results and evaluation of the effect of the drugs on the death rates in the hospital, their effect on the duration of stays in the ICU and the days that the patients are under mechanical ventilation.