Antipsychotic Medications- Their Effects On Nursing Home Patients

The Journal of the American Geriatrics society published a systemic review about the medical records of about 84,000 patients of the nursing home in 45 states. The review focused on the fact whether the consumption of anti psychotic drugs increased the risk of other medical conditions, especially cardiac arrest, stroke, hip fracture and serious bacterial infections.

Through the review, it was found that well within 180 days of starting the consumption of antipsychotic medications, the nursing home patients were found to be at higher risk for cardiac arrest, hip fracture and bacterial infection; but, the risk of them having a stroke did not increase. This study also helped in identifying which medication lead to which specific health and which doses were found to be safer for the patients.

All in all, these kinds of information are the ones that that improves the quality of medical administration. The medical providers utilize the information to provide better medication for the patients who have complex medical conditions. The detail of data collected through this study which has covered thousands of patients across the country has provided a roadmap in keeping the public healthy.

Antipsychotic drugs help to treat psychological and behavioral symptoms like dementia. The medication is also used to treat mental health illness, for instance mania or schizophrenia caused due to bipolar disorder. Moreover it is used to treat depression and anxiety. It is also known as major tranquillizers. Antipsychotics are of two types, the atypical called the second generation antipsychotics like risperidone, aripiprazole, amisulpride, clozapine, quetiapine and olanzapine. The older antipsychotics are called first generation antipsychotics and include zuclopenthixol, chlorpromazine, haloperidol, flupentixol, pericyazine, levomepromazine, sulpiride and perphenazine.

The drugs are available as liquids, capsules, tablets and depot injections. The older antipsychotics are used since 1950s and are currently in use. The newer version is used from 1970s and it is believed it has fewer side effects when compared to the older version. The antipsychotics are prescribed for symptoms of mania, schizophrenia, anxiety and depression. These are no longer prescribed for elders as it increases the chance of stroke. Risperidone is prescribed for elderly people who suffer from dementia. This is also recommended only for shorter duration, a period of less than 6 weeks and only if the symptoms are severe.

The drug is usually prescribed by specialist in psychiatry. The drug should not be taken without the advice of specialist. Also seek their advice on when to start or stop the drug for conditions of biopolar disorder.