Watchdog warns doctors to limit psychotropics in people with intellectual disability
The medications should also only be used after a trial of non-medication strategies has failed, according to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.
Psychotropic medications should only be prescribed as a “last resort” for behaviours of concern in patients with intellectual disability, according to a new clinical care standard.
Doctors are also urged to obtain informed consent where possible and to clearly document the reason for use at the time of prescribing.
