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Medication Abuse in the Elderly by Nursing Homes

By Beth Janicek

A recent New York Times article is criticizing the use of antipsychotic drugs for patients with dementia. The drugs have not been approved by the FDA to treat dementia but are often prescribed for "off label" use by physicians.

The use of antipsychotic drugs to control agitation and combative behavior of dementia patients has in the increased in the elderly.

Sales of newer antipsychotics like Risperdal, Seroquel and Zyprexa totaled $13.1 billion in 2007, up from $4 billion in 2000, according to IMS Health, a health care information company.

These drugs are used and abused by some physicians. Many physicians caring for nursing home patients do not want to take the time to assess a patient or monitor their response to the medications. Some nursing homes encourage the prescriptions to help control their patients.

These medications create various problems for nursing home patients. For more information on this topic, see my prior post: Elderly Dementia Patients Given Antipsychotic Drugs

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Beth Janicek

Full post as published by San Antonio Personal Injury Lawyer on June 25, 2008 (boomark / email).