This paper reviews the reported use of nonopioid medications for terminal s
edation. To provide a summary of the available literature, an electronic da
tabase search was performed. Thirteen series and 1 4 case reports were iden
tified. Various symptoms, including agitation, Zn pain, and confusion, requ
ired terminal sedation. Eleven drugs were used in 342 patients. Most patien
ts were also treated with concurrent opioids and received terminal sedation
in an inpatient hospice unit. Midazolam was the most common sedative emplo
yed. A good response - defined as adequate sedation - ranged between 75% an
d 100%. The median time to death following the introduction of terminal sed
ation was greater than 1 day. No agent appears to have superior efficacy or
limiting toxicity.