030 Drugs for Difficult Dementia Behaviors: What to Know

Dr. K explains what families should know about the five types of medications used to treat difficult behaviors in people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, including how they work and common side-effects. She also explains how geriatricians usually approach difficult behaviors in dementia, and provides practical tips for families struggling to manage this challenge.
The post 030 Drugs for Difficult Dementia Behaviors: What to Know appeared first on Better Health While Aging.

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In This Episode:

Dr. K explains what families should know about the five types of medications used to treat difficult behaviors in people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. She covers:

Why “chemical restraints” such as antipsychotics and tranquilizers are often prescribed inappropriately
How antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, antidepressants work for dementia behaviors, and how much improvement to expect
Common side-effects to look out for
The pros and cons of each type of medication
Important non-drug approaches that can help with dementia behaviors, and why these should be used before resorting to medications
Tips and suggestions for families considering these drugs
What you can do if your relative with dementia is taking antipsychotics or tranquilizers

Related episode: 

026 4 Medications for Alzheimer s & Other Dementias: FAQs & Tips

5 Types of Medication Used to Treat Difficult Dementia Behaviors
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behavior Management (Helpguide.org)
Anxiety and Agitation (Alz.org)
4 Types of Brain-Slowing Medication to Avoid if You’re Worried About Memory

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The post 030 Drugs for Difficult Dementia Behaviors: What to Know appeared first on Better Health While Aging.