Managing patients on antipsychotics: Your domain, too
Primary care physicians are increasingly likely to care for patients taking antipsychotics. Here’s what you need to know about the common adverse effects, major risks, and monitoring required.
CASE 2 › When you return to the long-term care facility one week later, you find that Ms. F’s NPS have not abated. You realize an antipsychotic agent may be needed. Because she has a history of heart disease, however, she has a higher risk for cardiovascular events.
You meet with her son to review the benefits and risks of antipsychotic therapy, explaining that risperidone is a reasonable agent and that a low starting dose (0.25-0.5 mg) will reduce the risk. You obtain his informed consent, document your treatment goals—a decrease in threatening behavior and the ability of the staff to work with Ms. F to get her up and out of bed—and establish a plan to review in 2 weeks.
CORRESPONDENCE
Daniel DeJoseph, MD, Drexel Family Medicine, 3401 Market Street, Suite 105-B, Philadelphia, PA 19104; daniel.dejoseph@drexelmed.edu
