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ForwardPulse: When Treatment Clouds the Mind: Cognitive Pitfalls of Psychotropics in the Elderly
Psychotropic medications—such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines—are included in the Beers Criteria due to their association with significant side effects in older adults, particularly the potential to worsen cognition. Despite these risks, their use is sometimes necessary in clinical settings. This presentation will examine the risk-benefit profile of these medications and outline essential considerations for starting, monitoring, and discontinuing them in older adults, with an emphasis on preserving cognitive function and promoting optimal patient outcomes.
Target Audience
Pharmacist
Learning Objectives
- Review clinical data that addresses the effect of benzos, antidepressants, and antipsychotics on cognition in older adults
- Assess risks versus benefits of psychotropic use in older adults
- Identify best practices when prescribing, adjusting, or deprescribing psychotropics in older adults
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 PGY2 - Disclosure Slides_Kavya Achyutuni_Kavya Achyutuni.pdf | 444.28 KB |
Psychotropic medications—such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, and benzodiazepines—are included in the Beers Criteria due to their association with significant side effects in older adults, particularly the potential to worsen cognition. Despite these risks, their use is sometimes necessary in clinical settings. This presentation will examine the risk-benefit profile of these medications and outline essential considerations for starting, monitoring, and discontinuing them in older adults, with an emphasis on preserving cognitive function and promoting optimal patient outcomes.
Kavya Achyutuni, PharmD
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Pharmacy (CPE)
This knowledge-based activity provides 1.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.
Available Credit
- 1.00 ACPE PharmacyThe UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.