A Delicate Dance: The Principles and Practice of Deprescribing Antipsychotic Medications-Presentation Slides

Presentation Slides

Pdf Summary

This document is a summary of a webinar titled "A Delicate Dance: The Principles and Practice of Deprescribing Antipsychotic Medications." The webinar was part of a series by the Clinical Support System for Serious Mental Illness (CSS-SMI), which is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and implemented by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).<br /><br />The webinar discusses the need for deprescribing antipsychotic medications in specific situations, such as when antipsychotic polypharmacy is used, when antipsychotics are used as augmenting agents or for off-label indications, when adverse effects occur or when the patient prefers not to take antipsychotics.<br /><br />Deprescribing is defined as the systematic process of identifying and reducing or discontinuing drugs when the existing or potential harms outweigh the benefits. The process takes into account the patient's medical status, current level of functioning, and values and preferences.<br /><br />The webinar covers various principles of deprescribing, including recovery-oriented care, understanding the pharmacology of antipsychotic medications, utilizing the existing evidence base, and practicing good prescribing by considering the risk-benefit ratio and the psychosocial context of psychopharmacology.<br /><br />The presenter also outlines the steps of deprescribing antipsychotic medications, which include choosing the right time, conducting medication reconciliation, discussing with the patient and others involved, implementing psychosocial interventions, deciding which medication to taper, initiating the taper, and monitoring and adjusting the taper as needed.<br /><br />The document also provides information on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of antipsychotic medications, the evidence from randomized controlled trials on antipsychotic discontinuation, and the ethical considerations of deprescribing.<br /><br />In conclusion, the webinar highlights the importance of deprescribing antipsychotic medications in appropriate situations and emphasizes the need for a patient-centered and evidence-based approach that takes into account the individual's recovery goals, preferences, and overall well-being.

Keywords

deprescribing antipsychotic medications

antipsychotic polypharmacy

off-label indications

adverse effects

patient preferences

recovery-oriented care

good prescribing

pharmacodynamics of antipsychotic medications

pharmacokinetics of antipsychotic medications

evidence-based approach