Using Antipsychotics to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Patients with Dementia: An APA Clinical Guideline

These medications, when used conservatively, can help dementia patients with dangerous levels of agitation, psychosis, or violent behavior.

Sponsoring Organization: American Psychiatric Association

Target Population: Individuals with dementia who have levels of agitation or psychosis that warrant a medication intervention

Background and Objective

Expert consensus suggests that antipsychotic medication has a role in treating dangerous agitation, psychosis, or violent behavior in individuals with dementia.

Key Points

In this overview, the authors describe the necessary elements involved in prescribing these medications:

Careful assessment of symptoms, including modifiable contributors
Development of a comprehensive treatment plan
Assessment of risks and benefits of antipsychotic treatment for the particular patient, and communication of these to the patient or surrogate
Dosing, duration, …

Reviewing Author

Jonathan Silver, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions

Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)