J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  2013 Oct;17(2):61-68.

Pharmacotherapy for Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia

• Jeong HJ
• Lee YM
• Park JM
• Lee BD
• Moon E
• Chung YI

Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) are one of the common causes leading to significant impairment in quality of life for both patients and their caregivers, as well as an increased risk of institutionalization. In the treatment of BPSD, the first step is to check medical illness, and environmental status that can cause BPSD. When BPSD are associated with medical illness or environmental status, it is important to correct this condition for treatment of BPSD. However, if BPSD are very severe enough to be dangerous to patients or others and are not treatable by nonpharmacological approaches, pharmacological treatments could be considered. In pharmacological approaches, it is important to select relevant drugs according to the target symptoms, such as psychosis, depression, agitation, sleep disturbance, and so on. Due to the altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, drug dosages for the patients with dementia should be started very low and increased slowly.

Keyword

Dementia; Behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia; Pharmacotherapy

MeSH Terms

Caregivers
Dementia*
Depression
Dihydroergotamine
Drug Therapy*
Humans
Institutionalization
Pharmacokinetics
Psychotic Disorders
Quality of Life
Resin Cements
Dihydroergotamine
Resin Cements