USA Today (9/22, Painter) reported, “Anti-psychotic medications should not be the first treatments doctors or patients think of when dealing with dementia in an elderly person, behavior problems in a child or insomnia in an adult, a leading group of psychiatrists says in a new statement.”
The Cleveland Plain Dealer (9/21, Zeltner) reported that on Sept. 20, the American Psychiatric Association released a “list of five common uses of” antipsychotic medications “that are potentially unnecessary and could cause harm.”
Medscape (9/21, Cassels) reported that the new “list is part of an initiative from the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation called Choosing Wisely, which has brought together leading specialty societies to develop 30 new evidence-based lists of tests and procedures that may be overused in their specific field.” APA president Jeffrey Lieberman, MD, stated, “The recommendations from APA released today provide valuable information to help patients and physicians start important conversations about treatment options and make informed choices about their healthcare.”
Related Links:
— “Doctors: Anti-psychotic meds overused for dementia, kids, “Kim Painter, USA Today, September 23, 2013.