How do you treat behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies?
How do you treat dangerous behavioral disturbances (aggression, nighttime wandering) in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)?
Answer from: at Community Practice
The best medication for behavioral symptoms and Lewy body disease is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It reduces hallucinations and dream-like delirium. When more is needed, a small dose of quetiapine at night may be helpful. SSRIs reduce anxiety and can reduce aggression.
These are all great suggestions, and I use them as well. However, sometimes you are in a situation in which you need a quicker fix; for example, I had a DLB patient who had a GI surgery and had worsening symptoms at home. Cholinesterase inhibitors and SSRIs as we know take several weeks to take full...