The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to physicians that conventional antipsychotic medication, used to treat behavioral problems in elderly people suffering from dementia, can increase their risk...
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Untitled Comment
Sue
Thursday, July 31, 2008 at 11:02 PMre: Untitled Comment
Christine Kennard
Monday, August 04, 2008 at 06:17 AMHi Sue
Tranquilizers such as Ativan (lorazepam) or Serax (oxazepam), benzodiazepines, can be prescribed short term. Unfortunately do also have their own problems for some people. They can worsen cognitive symptoms and cause dizziness.
When I worked with people with brain damage we found benzodiazepines could act as a disinhibitor. A bit like giving someone who is aggressive vodka!
Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Depakene (sodium valproate) originally used to treat epilepsy can also help people with difficult behaviors such as violence.
Although medication is great and can have almost miraculous effects they all can cause problematic side effects. Difficult.
Its great if families work closely with multidisiplinary teams that specialise in Alzheimer's and/or behavioral problems.
Trying different strategies, distraction, activity programs can help.
I will write some more blogs about this very difficult area around problem behavior and Alzheimer's that may help people.
Christine
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Hi Christine and thanks for your post. I was wondering what kind of medication would be the alternative to the antipsychotic drugs? And if there are alternatives, why wouldn't they just be used rather than placing an elder in jeopardy?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these questions with our community.
All the best, sue (moderator)
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