Medications For Aggressive Behavior In Alzheimer

Many times people suffering from Alzheimer’s behave in an aggressive manner. They get verbally abusive or physically violent. If you are a caregiver, this aggressive behavior can cause you a lot of stress and anxiety. However, there are ways to handle aggressive behavior and one of the best methods is using medications for aggressive behavior in Alzheimer.

Usually a person with Alzheimer’s demonstrates aggressive behavior if he feels humiliated, frightened or frustrated because they are unable to understand others or make themselves understood. Others get aggressive when their self-control or judgment erodes on account of the disease. Aggressive behavior at times can be in the form of over reaction where the person gets agitated, shouts or screams because of minor setback or criticism.

Many medications aggressive behavior in Alzheimer are available but should be only given under strict guidance of a medical practitioner as many of these drugs can cause gastrointestinal side effects including nausea.

When an Alzheimer’s patient is verbally or physically aggressive, doctors use antipsychotic drugs like Risperidone or Olanzapine. Older antipsychotic drugs like Haloperidol are not being used because of severe side effects.

Even the newer drugs have serious side effects including sleepiness, confusion and Parkinson-like symptoms. But by and large, doctors delay prescribing medications for aggressive behavior in Alzheimer. They prefer to try out behavioral treatments and try to control changes in the patient’s environment and routine.

Some doctors might use anti-seizure drugs like Carbamazepine or Valproate to control aggressive behavior. Studies have shown that non-drug treatments like bright light boxes are better at managing aggressive behavior in Alzheimer as the safety risks of antipsychotic drugs outweigh the benefits.

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