ERIC Number: EJ1231152
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Nov
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-2322
EISSN: N/A
A Structured Programme to Withdraw Antipsychotics among Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: The Cornwall Experience
Shankar, Rohit; Wilcock, Mike; Deb, Shoumitro; Goodey, Rebecca; Corson, Eve; Pretorius, Charlotte; Praed, Georgina; Pell, Amanda; Vujkovic, Dee; Wilkinson, Ellen; Laugharne, Richard; Axby, Sharon; Sheehan, Rory; Alexander, Regi
Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, v32 n6 p1389-1400 Nov 2019
Background: Antipsychotic medications are used among 19%--58% of adults with intellectual disabilities to manage challenging behaviour against the NICE guideline recommendations. Studies show that it is possible to completely withdraw antipsychotics in about one third of adults with intellectual disabilities and a dose reduction of 50% or more in another third. Method: In Cornwall, over three years the present authors developed a structured pathway to withdraw antipsychotics among adults with intellectual disabilities which involved people with intellectual disabilities and their carers, GPs, community learning disability team members and pharmacists. Results: The present authors managed to withdraw antipsychotics totally among 46.5% (33/71) and reduced over 50% of dosage in another 11.3% (8/71) of adults with intellectual disabilities. At three months follow-up no one required hospital admission or change in placement. Conclusion: It is possible to withdraw/reduce antipsychotics in a high proportion of adults with intellectual disabilities if a concerted effort is made involving all stakeholders from the outset.
Descriptors: Drug Therapy, Adults, Intellectual Disability, Behavior Modification, Behavior Problems, Teamwork, Caregivers, Health Personnel, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A