The hospice Dr prescribed Seroquel to help with mom's mood swings/anxiety related to her dementia. I am reading online that Seroquel should not be used for treating psychosis in the elderly with dementia. I am afraid to give this to her. Has anybody else used this drug with an elderly person?
sorry, I meant this as a reply to the last poster.
it has a warning too
Zyprexa is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Olanzapine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
but my dad was at a bad point in his alzheimers. he only needed it to remain calm so he could be helped w bathing toileting dressing etc. - because he was fighting the AL aids.
Seroquel helped my mom tremendously, I was aware of the warnings. It was necessary to weigh the benefit to her comfort vs the possible danger to her life. The life was very, very hard for her without the medication.
The benefit Seroquel provided far outweighed the dangers. Mom started on 12.5 mg a day at 4:00 p.m. over the course of the four years I cared for her the dosage gradually increased by 12.5 mg each time to 75 mg a day, still at 4:00.
It is prescribed what is termed "off label" by many docs for those with the agitation caused by dementia.