Prescribing antipsychotics in older people: a mini-review

Antipsychotic medications are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, but are used in a range of other psychiatric conditions, including dementia. Prescribing such drugs to older people is common, particularly in care home residents [1], and potentially risky [2]. Much antipsychotic use in the elderly is off-label. There is a paucity of evidence about their efficacy, mostly extrapolated from data in younger adults. Side effects of antipsychotics are diverse and are known to affect adherence.
Source: Maturitas - Category: Primary Care Authors: Source Type: research