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Can Neuroleptics Help In Controlling Aggressiveness Episodes In A Patient With Dementia?
Question: Hi, My 84 year old mother suffers from Alzheimers/Dementia not sure what stage. As of late she has been increasingly aggressive toward my sister and I and esp her caregiver. To the point where we are fearful she is going to hit somebody! It is so scary and sad. We would love to be able to keep her in her current house where things are familiar and affordable, but see that if this behavior gets worse we may be forced to place her somewhere else such as a memory care facility. Before that, we were wondering if there were any medications available for patients such as her that would calm her and limit the negativity that is overwhelming everyone.
Brief Answer:
Neuroleptics but use is controversial.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. It is awful to see a beloved one so changed by dementia.
Regarding the aggressiveness episodes, there are medications like neuroleptics which are used to control those episodes, but their use is controversial. That is because while they make the patient more easy to manage, they come with an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular or respiratory complications. For that reason there is a warning for their use by the FDA. However plenty of physicians do use them when the patient is really hard to manage, me included, because of the lack of a better alternative. There are several like olanzapine, risperidone etc, but it should be discussed with your doctor, both because of being prescription only drugs as well as for the warning above. Naturally used at the lowest possible dose only when necessary to contain the patient.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Neuroleptics but use is controversial.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. It is awful to see a beloved one so changed by dementia.
Regarding the aggressiveness episodes, there are medications like neuroleptics which are used to control those episodes, but their use is controversial. That is because while they make the patient more easy to manage, they come with an increased risk of death due to cardiovascular or respiratory complications. For that reason there is a warning for their use by the FDA. However plenty of physicians do use them when the patient is really hard to manage, me included, because of the lack of a better alternative. There are several like olanzapine, risperidone etc, but it should be discussed with your doctor, both because of being prescription only drugs as well as for the warning above. Naturally used at the lowest possible dose only when necessary to contain the patient.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you so much for the information and I plan on calling her doctor today to see if I can get this kind of help. I appreciate your advice and may ask follow-up questions after I chat with him.
Brief Answer:
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome. I will gladly answer potential follow-up questions.
Thank you.
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome. I will gladly answer potential follow-up questions.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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