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Antipsychotic adverse effect — DGM MCQ

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ModeratePolypharmacyAntipsychotic adverse effectDGM

A 90-year-old woman with dementia is sleepy and newly rigid after a medicine was started for shouting at night. She has no ongoing aggression and has fallen twice. Pulse and temperature are normal. Current medicines include haloperidol, macrogol and colecalciferol. Which medication should be reviewed?

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Correct answer: E — Haloperidol

Haloperidol can cause sedation, extrapyramidal symptoms and falls, and antipsychotic use in dementia should be tightly reviewed. Macrogol, colecalciferol, paracetamol and lansoprazole are less plausible causes of rigidity and sedation. Antipsychotic prescribing should include target symptoms, review date and risk discussion.

Reference: NICE NG97; BNF