We have been using Tamazepram to help her sleep and Xanax for agitation throughout the day. Neither one really works that well. She is always up moving around and won't sit still for long. Sometimes, I don't see how she goes for a few days without getting good rest! She is so sweet usually but has gotten a lot worse wanting to go home, seeing her parents, and thinking everything needs to be locked up because someone might get in her house. Sometimes she cries and gets upset with us. Now the dr has prescribed Risperidone and says to give it day and night when needed but make sure it's 6 hrs between doses. I have read about this drug and it terrifies me! I have found things that say not to give it to dementia patients and it can cause stroke/death! She has never taken much medication except a blood pressure medicine and Namenda. Can anyone suggest something besides an antipsychotic drug that has helped them? We are desperate to find something to help her rest better and not get so agitated but not make her zombie like and have so many horrible side effects! Thank you!
Blessings,
Jamie
My mom was not able to take ativan, completely opposite effect. She became very aggressive and angry. Seroquel worked wonders. She started with 12.5 mg once a day, about 4:00, to help with sundowning behaviors. Over the course of four years the dosage gradually increased to 75 mg, still once a day. The maximum recommended dosage for Seroquel is 400 mg a day.
Try the med that doctor has prescribed. If it doesn't work have doc prescribe another to try. Think of giving these meds as helping mom to be comfortable. That is the objective, isn't it? And always remember how hard it is on grandma to feel this way, to say nothing of the caregiver.
I'm sorry, but I don't care if all the docs in the world use a drug off label and some people have good success with it. There is a reason why it is labeled NOT to use with the elderly with dementia. And for docs to use it specifically for the purpose for which it was NOT intended, makes me wonder. Would you use this same antipsychotic on your teenager if there was a warning by the FDA specifically NOT to use in teenagers because of an increased risk of death? Heck NO you would not, and you know it! Think about that.