Antipsychotic medication in dementia: practical advice for nurses

A new antipsychotic medication toolkit offers advice and guidance, and aids nurses' decision-making when managing distressed behaviour in people with dementia

Nurses may encounter distressed behaviour in people living with dementia, particularly if the person is having difficulty communicating their needs.

Antipsychotics are sometimes prescribed to manage distressed behaviour, but evidence shows there are limited benefits for their use. They can cause harm, including sedation and raising the risk of stroke, falls, movement disorders and in some instances death.

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