People with dementia can sometimes be disruptive, behaving aggressively and resisting personal care. There is often a reason for the behaviour (pain, for example) and identifying and addressing the causes can make drug treatment unnecessary. When drug treatment is chosen, antipsychotic medicines are often prescribed, but they provide limited benefit and can cause serious harm, including premature death. These medications should be limited to cases where non-drug measures have already been tried and failed and the patients are a threat to themselves or others. When an antipsychotic has been prescribed, frequent review and attempts at reduction or discontinuation must be done to reduce harm.
Conditions: Dementia, behavioural and psychological symptoms
Treatments: Antipsychotics
Sources