To the Editor: Hilmer and Gnjidic drew attention to the pharmacological management of behavioural problems in nursing home residents, and called for a reduction in inappropriate prescribing and the development of alternative management strategies.1 We extend these concerns to another vulnerable population — people with intellectual disability. Historically, this population is one of the most medicated groups in modern society.
The full article is accessible to AMA
members and paid subscribers.
Login to MJA or subscribe now.
- 1. Hilmer SN, Gnjidic D. Rethinking psychotropics in nursing homes. Med J Aust 2013; 198: 77. <MJA full text>
- 2. Tsiouris JA, Kim SY, Brown WT, et al. Prevalence of psychotropic drug use in adults with intellectual disability: positive and negative findings from a large scale study. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 43: 719-731.
- 3. Deb S, Kwok H, Bertelli M, et al. International guide to prescribing psychotropic medication for the management of problem behaviours in adults with intellectual disabilities. World Psychiatry 2009; 8: 181-186.
- 4. Tyrer P, Oliver-Africano PC, Ahmed Z, et al. Risperidone, haloperidol, and placebo in the treatment of aggressive challenging behaviour in patients with intellectual disability: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2008; 371: 57-63.
- 5. Matson JL, Mahan S. Antipsychotic drug side effects for persons with intellectual disability. Res Dev Disabil 2010; 31: 1570-1576.
Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.
No relevant disclosures.