He is being treated with ativan - and there is a sudden decrease in his communication and physical health. Is this related and are ther any other treatment options for his paranoia associated with his Alzheimers.
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Q: Is my father is being overdosed by an antipsychotic ?
Answers (2)
12/26/09 7:32am
Ativan is not a treatment for paranoia as such but it can help reduce the arousal and agitation that is a result of paranoid ideas. All drugs have side effects and older people are more susceptible to experiencing them. It could be that the dose of Ativan needs to be reduced and that he might be over medicated. It is difficult get the balance right. You want to improve behaviour but do not want the person to be too sleepy or unable to maintain their mobility or eat and drink. I think you need to get him seen by the doctor again.
There are other types of drugs, antipsychotic drugs, that can be helpful, it all depends on a number of factors that only a doctor can evaluate.
Best Wishes
Christine
12/27/09 7:25am
Christine's reply was right on, as always.
My dad was put on Ativan, as needed, when anxiety became too much for him. Sometimes we had to beg the doctor for it (he was in a nursing home). They were very careful about overmedicating, which is good. Ativan can be a good drug. As Christine say, it's not an antipsychotic. But any drug needs monitoring, and adjustments often need to be made in the dosage. As she mentioned, a visit to the doctor is in order. This may or may not be the right drug, but perhaps it is right and the dosage needs to be adjusted. It's an ongoing problem to keep the right drugs at the right levels for comfort, without causing too much lethargy.
Take care,
Carol
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By kimbroc— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 12/25/09
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