De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A Commentary

The population with intellectual disabilities is one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Medication use is the main therapeutic intervention in this population and psychotropic medications can be prescribed for mental health conditions and for challenging behaviors. Clinical experience of pres...

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Main Author: Bernadette Flood
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-03-01
Series:Pharmacy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/6/2/28
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author Bernadette Flood
author_facet Bernadette Flood
author_sort Bernadette Flood
collection DOAJ
description The population with intellectual disabilities is one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Medication use is the main therapeutic intervention in this population and psychotropic medications can be prescribed for mental health conditions and for challenging behaviors. Clinical experience of prescribers and pharmacists working with people with intellectual disabilities suggests that reducing or stopping psychotropic medication is not always straightforward. What is required is rational, rather than rationed, prescribing of psychotropic medications. Concerns of clinicians working with people with intellectual disabilities and both formal and informal carers can result in maintenance of the ‘status quo.’ Setting-related, carer-related and staff-related factors play an important role in the real world of people with intellectual disabilities. Optimizing medication regimens in the adult population with intellectual disabilities is complicated but it is recognized that efforts to improve the current state of medication utilization are required for many individuals with intellectual disabilities. Pharmacists have a responsibility to include the person and/or their carer in their efforts to promote optimization of psychotropic medication use in environment in which the person lives.
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spelling doaj.art-2b67e55e35764802a47563e541eeaa0a2022-12-22T02:19:19ZengMDPI AGPharmacy2226-47872018-03-01622810.3390/pharmacy6020028pharmacy6020028De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A CommentaryBernadette Flood0Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services, D15 DH6F, Dublin, IrelandThe population with intellectual disabilities is one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Medication use is the main therapeutic intervention in this population and psychotropic medications can be prescribed for mental health conditions and for challenging behaviors. Clinical experience of prescribers and pharmacists working with people with intellectual disabilities suggests that reducing or stopping psychotropic medication is not always straightforward. What is required is rational, rather than rationed, prescribing of psychotropic medications. Concerns of clinicians working with people with intellectual disabilities and both formal and informal carers can result in maintenance of the ‘status quo.’ Setting-related, carer-related and staff-related factors play an important role in the real world of people with intellectual disabilities. Optimizing medication regimens in the adult population with intellectual disabilities is complicated but it is recognized that efforts to improve the current state of medication utilization are required for many individuals with intellectual disabilities. Pharmacists have a responsibility to include the person and/or their carer in their efforts to promote optimization of psychotropic medication use in environment in which the person lives.http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/6/2/28intellectual disabilitiespsychotropicpharmacistde-prescribingmedicines optimizationvulnerable populationrisk
spellingShingle Bernadette Flood
De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A Commentary
Pharmacy
intellectual disabilities
psychotropic
pharmacist
de-prescribing
medicines optimization
vulnerable population
risk
title De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A Commentary
title_full De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A Commentary
title_fullStr De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A Commentary
title_full_unstemmed De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A Commentary
title_short De-Prescribing of Psychotropic Medications in the Adult Population with Intellectual Disabilities: A Commentary
title_sort de prescribing of psychotropic medications in the adult population with intellectual disabilities a commentary
topic intellectual disabilities
psychotropic
pharmacist
de-prescribing
medicines optimization
vulnerable population
risk
url http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4787/6/2/28
work_keys_str_mv AT bernadetteflood deprescribingofpsychotropicmedicationsintheadultpopulationwithintellectualdisabilitiesacommentary