Anti-psychotics and geriatrics

[michael79]

Our geriatric pharmacist is urging us to contact our docs and ask them to d/c any orders for anti-psychotics such as Seroquel or Risperdal. They say that both are unsafe and ineffective in use with seniors with dementia and can actually increase mortality. My questions are: Are you seeing this push to take them off anyti-psychotics and what do you replace it with if they have behavioral issues?

[Candyheart]

Thanks for the Depakote idea. Maybe it will work better than Serequel for some agitated behavior. One of the things I have noticed is that one day the resident gets their med and doesn't slow down a bit, just as wild as ever. The next day, same med knocks them out all evening. Of course, thats the day the family visits and is alarmed that "Mom is so sedated". If only they could see her on the other evenings!

[pielęgniarka, RN]

I should specify we actually start the depakote while the other psychotropic is being tapered, so the depakote is ramped up while the others are ramped down.

And isn't that the truth about family visits! :smackingf

One of the things I have noticed is that one day the resident gets their med and doesn't slow down a bit, just as wild as ever. The next day, same med knocks them out all evening. Of course, thats the day the family visits and is alarmed that "Mom is so sedated". If only they could see her on the other evenings!