Information on antipsychotics

If carers or family members are concerned that someone they know is on antipsychotics it is important not to panic - sometimes it is appropriate for antipsychotics to be prescribed.
People should talk to their GP or responsible consultant about why the drugs were prescribed and whether it is still appropriate to continue.

Ask about the side effects and the risks of the drugs. It is important to make a decision that will lead to the best outcome for the person's well-being and quality of life. The longer a person stays on antipsychotics the more the risk increases.

For most people the risks of antipsychotics will outweigh the benefits after three months so ask for a person's medication to be reviewed regularly. Seek a second opinion if you need to and if you are still unsure, find our more about the organisations complaints procedure, or talk to your local Alzheimer's Society.

Always ensure staff know a person has dementia and ask to be involved in decisions about treatment and care. Work with staff to identify possible causes of any problematic behaviour and resolve them. This can be as simple as telling staff about a person's likes and dislikes and how they communicate.

It's important to choose a good care home which provides the right environment for people with dementia and supports staff with good dementia training and ongoing professional development. Find out what your care home is doing to provide good dementia care and whether staff have training and support from external specialists. If you need help in defining what kind of care a person needs, ask social services for a care assessment.