Geriatrics: Agitation Flashcards
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS)
Mild:
- depression
- anxiety
- irritability
- apathy
Severe:
- Agitation
- aggression
- vocalizations
- hallucinations
- delusions
- disinhibition
Delirium vs Dementia
Delirium -> acute onset
Dementia -> gradual onset
Medical causes of agitation in dementia
Medication
Infection
CVA
Trauma
Pain
Benefits of antipsychotics for NPS in dementia
very effective for hallucinations and delusions
Risks of antipsychotics for NPS in dementia
Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
Rank from most to least safe in geriatric patients: Haloperidol, Quetiapine, Olanzapine
Quetiapine > Olanzapine > Haloperidol
Quetiapine is “safer”, but still carries risks
Treatment for delusions and hallucinations
Aripiprazole*
Olanzapine*
Quetiapine*
Risperidone*
Clozapine (rarely used-blood dyscrasias)
Ziprasidone
Perphenazine
Haloperidol (acute/hospice use)
Fluphenazine
Thioridazine (anti-Ch)
Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease in geriatrics
- visual hallucinations -> pharm treatment
- significant emotional distress or dangerous / upsetting behavior
Quetiapine
Olanzapine
Pimavanserin (Nuplazid) $$$
Aripiprazole dosing + pearls
2-5 mg/d initially
max 30 mg/d
2nd gen
Olanzapine dosing + pearls
Hallucinations: 2.5-10mg/d
Parkinson’s: 2.5-5 mg/d
ADE: weight gain
2nd gen
Quetiapine dosing + pearls
Hallucinations: 25-800 mg/d
Parkinson’s: 12.5-75 mg/d
ophthalmic exam recommended Q6 months
2nd gen
Risperidone dosing + pearls
0.25 - 1 mg/d
dose-related EPS, IM not for acute treatment
do not exceed 6mg
Lewy Body Dementia
- cognitive decline accompanied by motor features of parkinsonism
- Prominent visual hallucinations
- avoid conventional antipsychotics: haloperidol, thioridazine, fluphenazine
Depressive symptom management
Non-pharm: recreational programs, activity therapies
Meds:
- SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline)
- SNRIs (desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)
- Mirtazapine
- Trazadone
- Bupropion
Meds not to use for depressive symptoms in geriatric patients
Paroxetine
Desipramine
Nortriptyline
Anticholinergic ADEs!
Citalopram dosing + pearls
10-40mg
ADE: EPS, hyponatremia, GI upset, nausea, upper GI bleeds, suicide, insomnia