Usefulness of Haloperidol and Risperidone in BPSD: Comparative Study

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are non-cognitive manifestations of dementia that include verbal and physical aggression, agitation, psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions), sleep disturbances, and wandering. These symptoms occur at some point in over 90% of patients with dementia. These symptoms are distressing to patients and troublesome to carers. Psychosocial and pharmacological management both recommended for BPSD. Antipsychotics are one of the available options. However, this is a topic of controversy whether antipsychotics should be used or not in elderly patients as they are considered to have lesser tolerability for these drugs and if used, ambiguity still remains on the drug of choice. The study, Usefulness of Typical (Haloperidol) and Atypical Anti-psychotic (Risperidone) Drugs in Dementia with Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms (Psychotic features) funded by ICMR new Delhi, India was conducted and obtained results are discussed in this book. The book is beneficial for the academicians, clinicians, researchers, scientific community, practicing doctors and for policymaking.