Gradual dose reduction and medication tapering: a clinical perspective

• Published in: The Consultant pharmacist Vol. 22; no. 8; p. 628
• Main Authors: Beier, Manju T, Martin, Caren McHenry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.08.2007
• Subjects: Aged; Antidepressive Agents - administration & dosage; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; Antipsychotic Agents - administration & dosage; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Benchmarking; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (U.S.); Dementia - drug therapy; Depression - drug therapy; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Utilization - legislation & jurisprudence; Government Regulation; Homes for the Aged; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives - administration & dosage; Hypnotics and Sedatives - therapeutic use; Long-Term Care - legislation & jurisprudence; Long-Term Care - standards; Mental Disorders - drug therapy; Nursing Homes; Pharmaceutical Services - legislation & jurisprudence; Pharmaceutical Services - standards; Pharmacists; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Professional Role; United States; United States
• ISSN: 0888-5109; 2331-0936
• DOI: 10.4140/TCP.n.2007.628

Recent changes in the State Operations Manual put new emphasis on attempts to gradually reduce the dose of certain medications -- namely psychotropic medications -- as a component of medication management in nursing facilities. Applying these federal guidelines to caring for elderly patients is often highly complex. It requires an understanding of existing clinical evidence, the current standards of practice for using these medications, and the appropriate rationale for attempting to reduce drug dosages.