Resource to aid de-prescribing of antipsychotics

AUDIO: A new video to help clinicians reduce the over-prescription of antipsychotics in people with dementia has been launched at Parliament House in Sydney today.

Jointly developed by Alzheimer’s Australia NSW, Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT), the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre (DCRC) and the AMA (NSW), Antipsychotics & Dementia: Managing Medications has been made in response to recent research findings that antipsychotic medication is being used too frequently to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

The 19-minute video calls for a collaborative approach between GPs, other health professionals, care staff, the person with dementia and their family, and promotes a person-centred approach to managing behaviour.

DCRC director Professor Henry Brodaty, who appears in the video, said behaviour was a form of communication that clinicians needed to understand and that antipsychotics should not be the first-line response. Other more appropriate treatments should be looked at first in many cases, he said.

“For example, providing pain relief, tailoring personal care practices to the individual’s preferences, treating an underlying urinary infection, correcting problems with vision or hearing, playing favourite music or working with the family to engage the person in more meaningful and stimulating activities,” Prof Brodaty said.

At the launch, AAA’s Natasha Egan spoke to Professor Brodaty about the video and the need to reduce the use of antipsychotics:

The short film is available on Alzheimer’s Australia’s Detect Early website.