Open AccessPharmacological Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia
Author(s) -
Lauren B. Gerlach,
Helen C. Kales
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current treatment options in psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.497
H-Index - 15
ISSN - 2196-3061
DOI - 10.1007/s40501-020-00233-9
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , tolerability , randomized controlled trial , psychiatry , donepezil , clinical trial , risperidone , placebo , adverse effect , disease , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , alternative medicine , pathology
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are universal across all stages and types of dementia and can cause significant challenges for patients and caregivers. While there are currently no approved medications for treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia, a variety of psychotropic medications such as antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants are used off-label to treat these symptoms. This systematic review evaluated the available evidence for effectiveness and tolerability of pharmacologic treatments in addressing behavioral disturbances in dementia.