Appropriate prescribing of psychotropic medication for non-cognitive symptoms in people with dementia

This guideline aims to provide clear and evidence based recommendations on appropriate prescribing of psychotropic medication for non-cognitive symptoms in people with dementia for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and health and social care professionals, working in Ireland, by adapting and adopting existing international guidelines where relevant, informed by recent empiric evidence, relevant Irish legislation, and expert stakeholders.
The objectives of this guideline are:
• To facilitate the appropriate use of psychotropic medication for non-cognitive symptoms in people with dementia, by providing clear, evidence based recommendations.
• To improve the safety of psychotropic medication usage for non-cognitive symptoms in people with dementia.
• To raise awareness regarding the risk and benefits associated with psychotropic medication for non-cognitive symptoms in people with dementia.
• To decrease variation, both within and between services and regions, and to guide care to an appropriate standard across the healthcare system.