Managing patients on antipsychotics: Your domain, too

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