The Psychiatrist (2009) 33: 57-60. doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.107.017947
© 2009 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
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Guidelines on antipsychotics for dementia: are we losing our minds?

Camilla Haw, Consultant Psychiatrist

St Andrew’s Healthcare, Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5DG, email: chaw{at}standrew.co.uk

Graeme Yorston, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and Jean Stubbs, Head Pharmacist (retired)

St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have each issued guidance on the use of antipsychotics for behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD). We sent all old age psychiatrists an anonymous questionnaire asking for their opinions on these documents and for details of their use of antipsychotics for BPSD.

RESULTS

The response rate was 202 out of 648 (31.2%). The two documents, though similar in content provoked very different responses, with the College guidance being much more favourably received. All respondents prescribed antipsychotics for BPSD, most commonly quetiapine.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

When prescribing antipsychotics for behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia, psychiatrists should take both NICE and College guidelines into account and use their clinical judgement.