DEMENTIA-BPSD PHARMACOLOGICAL MGM

From NeuroRehab.wiki

SUMMARY

1. Cholinesterase inhibitors: Rivastigmine (better for Lewy body dementia), Donepezil, Galantamine. There is small but statistically significant evidence for these in BPSD. SE: brady-arrhythmias.

2. Antipsychotics: widely prescribed, moderate evidence. Avoid in Lewy body dementia & Parkinson's. Risperidone has been indicated for psychosis. FDA 2005 noted 1.6-1.7 increased risk of mortality.

3. Antidepressants: Citalopram (max dose 20 mg, risk of QTC prolongation, hyponatremia)[1]
, SSRI (meta-analysis showed insufficient evidence)

4. Mermantine: drug of choice for BPSD in advanced dementia. Well tolerated. SE: small number of patients become more agitated.

5. Carbamazepine

NB: only limited evidence for these. Figure out what behaviour you are treating first.


Reference(s)

  1. Citalopram for agitation in Alzheimer's disease study (CITAD)


Wilkinson, I., Furmedge, D. and Sinharay, R. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Get it on Amazon.
Feather, A., Randall, D. and Waterhouse, M. (2020). Kumar And Clark’s Clinical Medicine. 10th ed. S.L.: Elsevier Health Sciences. Get it on Amazon.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].