Ativan - why did it work the oppsite on a dementia patient?

10 Nov 2011

Hello,

You forgot to write down the medication.

Anyway, I suggest you talk to her Dr. asap.-

All the best,

11 Nov 2011

Sometimes meds do what is called a paradoxical effect where it does the opposite that it is supposed to. This can happen more frequently in children and elderly persons and there is no way to predict it until after you have give the medication. I have seen benzos (which Ativan is a benzo) do this, I have seen benedryl do this as well. Word to the wise on agitated dementia patients-people who have dementia have a hard time expressing pain. Many times when I had an agitated dementia or Alzheimers patient, I tried giving them their ordered pain medications, which many times was just acetaminophen, first. 9 times out of 10 they settled down after relieving their pain. Agitation is the way they express that they hurt. I would try this method before I used a medicine like an anxiolytic or sedative. Just a thought? Try not to work yourself too hard, lady! Being a caregiver is a hard job, I know!