The Right Prescription A Call to Action for junior doctors on the use of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia

The numbers 750,000 people with dementia in the UK 180,000 people with dementia on antipsychotics Only 36,000 will derive some benefit from antipsychotics, but: –1800 additional deaths –1620 additional CVAs Perhaps 2/3 of these prescriptions are unnecessary if appropriate support is available

Depression Anxiety Delusions Hallucinations Paranoid ideas Misidentifications Agitation Aggression Wandering Sleep disturbances Changes in, or inappropriate eating behaviour Inappropriate sexual behaviour Behavioural disturbancesPsychiatric symptoms Behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) occur in 90% of people with dementia and may include… Ask yourself – how many times have you seen these symptoms in someone with dementia? Remember, dementia is not just having a ‘poor memory’! Non-cognitive symptoms of dementia

Antipsychotics used in dementia These include older antipsychotic drugs (e.g. halopeirdol) or newer medications (e.g. quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone, amisulpride, aripiprazole) Side effects: greater in older people - increased stroke risk, increased cardiovascular risk, Parkinsonian side effects, falls, additional deaths These are class effects, not limited to one particular drug Not licensed for the treatment of agitation (except risperidone) 20-30% of people in nursing homes with dementia are on an antipsychotic NHS survey 2007/8: 5.3% of people over 65 are prescribed an antipsychotic These drugs are often inappropriately prescribed to ‘control’ BPSD

Some alternatives to antipsychotics High quality ward and nursing environment Availability of appropriate activities for patients with dementia in hospital Remember – collateral history is extremely helpful Your clinical assessment: –Behavioural assessment – ABC Antecedents Behaviour Consequences –Physical assessment, eg are they in pain? –Mental state assessment to consider alternative causes and treatments, eg for depression or sleep disturbance –Look at the mnemonic opposite as a guide for assessing causes of symptoms in people with dementia Refer if necessary to Medicine for the Elderly or Old Age Psychiatry Think ‘PINCH ME’ to identify any treatable causes of symptoms Pain Infection Constipation Hydration Medication Environmental Simple patient-centred care plans can help prevent and soothe behavioural and psychological symptoms in patients with dementia whilst in hospital:

Establish if your patient with dementia has an individual care plan to help prevent and manage behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD) Carry out a full medical assessment to consider other reasons for BPSD and try other treatments accordingly, eg: think ‘PINCH ME’! Consider non-pharmacological alternatives such as reviewing the environment before prescribing antipsychotics for BPSD Involve the patient (where possible), the patient’s carer and/or family in deciding what treatment is best If you do prescribe an antipsychotic: –Always monitor carefully for side-effects –Always make it time limited for review at discharge, or clearly communicate with the patient’s GP why it was prescribed and that it needs review –Do not prescribe antipsychotic drugs for longer than 12 weeks without consulting a specialist doctor –Also consider referral to the care of the elderly team and/or old age psychiatry team Where you can make the difference

Junior Doctor Call to Action We commit to carefully considering whether or not a prescription for antipsychotic medication is appropriate for someone with dementia who is in hospital and to reviewing the prescription on transfer or discharge from hospital

Junior Doctor Call to Action Find out more and join us at And for a range of professional and patient leaflets and information, visit the Alzheimer’s society at