Primary prevention

Judicious use of antipsychotic medications includes:[1][37][38]

  • Using the lowest effective dose of antipsychotic medication

  • Avoiding rapid escalation of antipsychotic medication dosing if possible

  • Avoiding concurrent use of multiple medications if possible

  • Avoiding abrupt withdrawal of dopaminergic drugs, especially in compromised patients (e.g., Parkinson disease)

  • Treating agitation early, using alternatives to antipsychotic medication (e.g., lorazepam) when possible

  • Avoiding dehydration.

Secondary prevention

The use and dose of antipsychotic medication should be minimized and agitation treated.

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