Follow
Share

My husband has Lewy Body Dementia and has been prescribed Risperidone to calm his behavior because he gets agitated especially in the afternoon. He takes it out on the caregiver by being belligerent. I'm hesitant to have him taking any medication unless it is really helpful and doesn't cause side effects that are worse than the behavior  being treated. Has anyone had experience with this drug and their loved one?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Find Care & Housing

4 Answers

Most
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
I want to thank everyone who responded to my post about Respiradone. I found all of your answers extremely helpful and appreciate you all taking the time to comment.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
AlvaDeer avatar
A
AlvaDeer Jan 2023
Thanks for getting back to us, Tutu; hoping you will update us on what you do to follow up on this complication, and how it works for you. You can be a great help to others in what you learn.
(0)
Report
No experience with LBD but with vascular dementia. My mother was having hallucinations, and risperidone was very effective in getting rid of them. She continued on it for several years until her dementia progressed to the point that it didn't help her at all. We didn't notice any side effects other than weight gain. She was on a small dose.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
T
Tutu82Kailua Jan 2023
Thank you! My husband has vascular dementia and was recently diagnosed with LBD. His neurologist prescribed respiradone but we haven't started him on it yet. I'm hesitant but your reply was very helpful.
(2)
Report
I agree with cwillie that it would be unusual to medicate for the reason above. A caregiver would be/should be able to handle this common acting out with Lewy's.
This is quite a common medication and is frequently given. I would say with any medications that altar brain activity it requires starting slow and monitoring closely. I have never seen in all my long career a death due to starting this type of medication, but I have seen MANY falls, many people turned into automotons with little emotional affect at all.
So it bears monitoring carefully.
You will find a lot of medication information for this particular commonly used medication online.
There is often no choice but to use these medications; only you and the doctors can know if you are "there" yet.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
cwillie avatar
C
cwillie Jan 2023
The caution that I mentioned is specific to LBD, I do agree that using anti psychotics off label can be safe and effective.
(2)
Report
I don't want to scare you but someone in our extended family did die in hospital unexpectedly after being medicated with an anti psychotic, but I don't know which one it was. Is the prescribing doctor an expert that is very experienced in LBD? Drugs like this can have dire side effects and must be used with extreme caution and as a last resort, I'm not certain the behaviour you are describing merits them.

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/facts-about-lewy-body-dementia-174545.htm

https://www.lbda.org/treatment/
Helpful Answer (2)
Report
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.

Recent Questions


Popular Questions


Related Questions

Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter