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World J Pharmacol. Dec 9, 2014; 3(4): 174-185
Published online Dec 9, 2014. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v3.i4.174
Published online Dec 9, 2014. doi: 10.5497/wjp.v3.i4.174
Role of antipsychotics for treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Kai Zhen Yap, Sui Yung Chan, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
Author contributions: Yap KZ and Chan SY contributed 70% and 30% respectively to this work, from the conception, review of evidence, draft and amendment of this review manuscript.
Correspondence to: Kai Zhen Yap, PhD, Instructor, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore. phaykz@nus.edu.sg
Telephone: +65-66013479 Fax: +65-67791554
Received: July 29, 2014
Revised: October 2, 2014
Accepted: October 23, 2014
Published online: December 9, 2014
Revised: October 2, 2014
Accepted: October 23, 2014
Published online: December 9, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: While antipsychotics may be used to manage symptoms of severe aggression and psychosis when the safety of the resident is threatened, there should be routine reviews of the appropriateness of antipsychotic use as well as training and support of the care staff in providing psychosocial intervention to treat the symptoms so as to reduce antipsychotic use in nursing homes. Reported studies evaluating interventions to improve antipsychotic use appropriateness in nursing homes are limited by the small sample sizes and absence of control groups. Future research should address these methodological issues while exploring safer therapeutic alternatives to manage these symptoms.