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ID: 09824
Title:Use of Novel Antipsychotics in the Older Patient With Neurodegenerative Disorders in the Long-Term Care Setting.
Publication Year: 2004.
Format(s): Journal Article , Review , Funded Research
Language(s): English
Audience(s): Physicians , Psychiatrists , Neurologists , Geriatricians
Author(s): Kasckow, J.W.; , Mulchahey, J.J.; , Mohamed, M.D.
Source: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 5(4): 242-248. July-August 2004.

Abstract: This article reviews the literature on the use of atypical antipsychotics in older patients with dementia and neurodegenerative disorders. The atypical antipsychotic medications are replacing the high-potency conventional antipsychotics for older patients in the long-term setting because of the lower risks of side effects. In particular, atypical antipsychotics have lower rates of extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyskinesia. Double-blind placebo-controlled trials examining the use of risperidone and olanzapine have been published and indicate that both agents safely and effectively reduce agitation symptoms in long-term care residents with neurodegenerative disorders. Based on these studies, the doses that appear efficacious in treating behavioral agitation in dementia are 0.5 to 1.5 mg per day of risperidone and 5 to 10 mg per day of olanzapine. In addition, there are open-label studies examining the use of quetiapine at doses ranging from 25 to 350 mg per day, which suggest that this agent also is safe and efficacious in patients with dementia. Very few studies have examined the newest atypical antipsychotics, ziprasidone and aripiprazole, in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. However, the available data suggest that both agents deserve further study in the long-term care setting. 1 table, 60 references. (AA-M).

Major Descriptor(s): DEMENTIA , PSYCHOTROPIC-DRUGS , DRUG-THERAPY , DRUG-EFFECTS , PSYCHOTIC-DISORDERS , AGITATION , ADVERSE-EFFECTS , BEHAVIOR-THERAPY
Minor Descriptor(s): THERAPY , LONG-TERM-CARE

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