Role of antipsychotics for treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

作     者：Kai Zhen Yap Sui Yung Chan 

作者机构：Department of Pharmacy National University of Singapore Singapore 117543 Singapore 

出 版 物：《World Journal of Pharmacology》 (世界药理学杂志)

年 卷 期：2014年第3卷第4期

页      面：174-185页

学科分类：1007[医学-药学(可授医学、理学学位)] 10[医学] 

主　　题：Antipsychotic agents Psychotropic drugs Prescribing appropriateness Dementia Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia Nursing homes 

摘      要：Over the past three decades, concerns about the high prevalence of antipsychotic use in the nursing homes （NHs） for the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia continue to be emphasized and intervened by many. However, despite the numerous side effects and the recent blackbox warning by the United States Food and Drug Administration about the increased risks for stroke and sudden death associated with the use of antipsychotics in dementia, the preva-lence of antipsychotic use in NHs remains high. While the use of antipsychotics appeared to have modest effcacy in reducing symptoms of aggression and psychosis in dementia, there is insuffcient evidence to routinely rec-ommend the use of alternative psychopharmacological treatments for these symptoms. Hence, clinicians have to balance the safety warnings against the need to treat these symptoms in order to prevent harm to the resident that may result from his/her dangerous behaviors. Although the use of antipsychotics may be warranted in some cases, organizational, resource and training support should be provided to encourage and equip NH staff to participate in interventions so as to minimize inappropriate use of these medicines in NHs. This review will discuss the place in therapy, the trend and appropriateness of antipsychotic use in NHs, as well as the effectiveness of current and future strategies for reducing antipsychotic use in the NHs.