MJA
MJA

Rethinking psychotropics in nursing homes

Sarah N Hilmer and Danijela Gnjidic
Med J Aust 2013; 198 (2): . || doi: 10.5694/mja12.11593
Published online: 4 February 2013

While evidence supports psychotropic use in nursing homes in some scenarios, we use them too often, for too long, at doses too high and in dangerous combinations with other medications

The potentially inappropriate use of psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, hypnotics, anxiolytics and antidepressants) in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is of considerable community concern. It is of practical and ethical importance to assess the use of these medications and the feasibility of reducing their use, and to devise alternative strategies to improve the care of vulnerable people living in RACFs.

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