Premium
The efficacy and tolerability of divalproex sodium in elderly demented patients with behavioral disturbances
Author(s) -
Kunik Mark E.,
Puryear Lucy,
Orengo Claudia A.,
Molinari Victor,
Workman Richard H.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199801)13:1<29::aid-gps726>3.0.co;2-z
Subject(s) - tolerability , divalproex , dementia , psychomotor agitation , psychology , medicine , pediatrics , psychiatry , anesthesia , lithium (medication) , adverse effect , bipolar disorder , mania , disease
Abstract Behavioral disturbances are commonly encountered in elderly demented patients. The records of all patients admitted to a geropsychiatric inpatient unit within a 2‐year period who had a primary diagnosis of dementia and an accompanying behavioral disturbance treated with divalproex sodium were reviewed. Of the 13 patients identified, all tolerated divalproex sodium without significant side‐effects. General psychiatric symptoms, overall agitation, physical aggression and non‐aggressive physical agitation decreased significantly, but verbal agitation did not. Divalproex sodium is well tolerated and may be effective in ameliorating certain behavioral disturbances in elderly demented patients with agitation. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.