Antipsychotics, when used appropriately and for a short time, can be effective for some. But, in general, they are most commonly used chronically. The continuing long-term prescribing of these drugs underlines the need to be able to treat behavioral disorders.
We need to examine how we treat dementia patients with disruptive behaviors and what we are doing with these medications, and consider alternatives. If we don’t, patients may continue to be harmed and to a greater extent than we think. We can do better in treating behavioral symptoms.
Dr. Schneider is a professor of psychiatry, neurology, and gerontology at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. He is also director of the university’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Clinical Center. Dr. Schneider reports being an editor on the Cochrane Collaboration Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group, which oversees systematic reviews of drugs for cognitive impairment and dementia. He has multiple financial relationships with a number of companies that manufacturer drugs for Alzheimer’s disease.