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Psychotropic Polypharmacy

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Physical Health of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Polypharmacy is a major issue for individuals with intellectual disability. There have been many proposed definitions of polypharmacy, including using five or more medications. Individuals with intellectual disability are at increased risk for polypharmacy given the presence of multiple co-morbidities such as mental health and neurologic conditions. Commonly prescribed medications for patients with intellectual disability include antipsychotics, anti-epileptics, and antidepressants. Common adverse effects of these medications include sedation, insomnia, nausea, constipation, and weight gain. Importantly, there are strategies that can help reduce polypharmacy and its negative effects, including medication reconciliation tools and processes such as the Systematic Tool to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing (STRIP).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, USA

    Michelle Cornacchia

  2. Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

    Priya Chandan

Authors
  1. Michelle Cornacchia
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  2. Priya Chandan
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Greenfields, Birmingham, UK

    Vee P. Prasher

  2. University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Matthew P. Janicki

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Cornacchia, M., Chandan, P. (2019). Psychotropic Polypharmacy. In: Prasher, V., Janicki, M. (eds) Physical Health of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90083-4_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-90083-4_16

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-90082-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-90083-4

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