Psychotropic drugs

Sleep disorders: treatment

Selecting the most appropriate drug treatments for sleep disorders in the absence of trial data or evidence-based protocols.…

‘Digital pill’ assessed for approval by FDA

A drug embedded with a digital sensor that records when a patient’s stomach is ingesting the medicine is being assessed for approval by the US medicines safety watchdog.…

Widespread prescribing of antipsychotics for intellectually disabled people revealed

As many as 71% of adults with a learning disability were prescribed an antipsychotic when they had no record of any mental illness, a study reported in The BMJ has found.…

Clinical Pharmacist’s monthly news round-up: the top 10 in the past month

What has been happening in the world of pharmacy? Here’s our pick of must-read news from the past month.…

‘Urgent reform’ to pharmaceutical care for people with learning disabilities needed, says RPS

Current system of care failing to deliver basic standards for patients, Society warns.…

Medical benefits of cannabis can be separated from unwanted side effects

Scientists have found that inhibiting the effects of a certain receptor in the brains of mice can prevent negative effects of cannabis but keeps benefits such as pain relief.…

Report highlights extent of inappropriate prescribing in adults with learning disabilities

One in six adults with learning disabilities but no diagnosis of mental illness are being prescribed antipsychotic drugs by a GP, according to a new report.…

People with learning disabilities need a ‘bill of rights’ to protect them from medicines misuse

Protection for people with learning disabilities against harm from medicines misuse should be enshrined in law, argues David Branford, immediate past chair of the English Pharmacy Board of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.…

Tranquillisation of patients with aggressive or challenging behaviour

Although never the first option, rapid tranquillisation may be required to ensure patient and staff safety when a patient exhibits violent behaviour.…

Greater risk of death by antipsychotics in dementia patients, research suggests

The risk of death caused by use of antipsychotic drugs in people with dementia is greater than previously thought, and increases in line with dose, research suggests.…