Expert: Paula Damgaard - 4/12/2011

Question
My husband is 70 yo and has had AD for 10 years.  He seems really confused and ag8ditated with the addition of Risperidone.  I  asked his psychiatrist to decrease the dose.  Instead the dose was increased.  I have also read that this is not to be given to the elderly with dementia.
How do you feel about this drug?

Answer
Hi Joyce,
This drug can be very effective with the aggitated dementia patient.  We do use it quite a lot here.  Unfortunately there are not a lot of medicines out there that are specifically for dementia patients.  When someone gets aggitated it is really a trial and error to find the correct dose/medicine for them.  

The question is: was he aggitated and confused before or after the addition of the Risperidol? if it was before, then increasing the dose may be the approach we would take, if it was after then you are correct in asking to have it decreased.  

Has anyone looked at the other medications he is currently taking?  Sometimes even drugs that he has been on for a long time can now cause him to be aggitated.  That would be a good question to ask the psychiatrist.  Remember if you don't feel like you are getting the response you need find a NEW doctor!  Especially one that deals with geriatric or dementia patients.

I hope this helps.  Good luck and take care of yourself.  

Paula