The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry
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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jan 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA double-blind comparison of trazodone and haloperidol for treatment of agitation in patients with dementia.
The authors compared the efficacy and side effects of trazodone and haloperidol for treating agitated behaviors associated with dementia. Twenty-eight elderly patients with dementia and agitated behaviors were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with either trazodone (50-250 mg/day) or haloperidol (1-5 mg/day) for 9 weeks. ⋯ Improvement in individual areas suggested that repetitive, verbally aggressive, and oppositional behaviors responded preferentially to trazodone, whereas symptoms of excessive motor activity and unwarranted accusations responded preferentially to haloperidol. These results indicate that moderate doses of trazodone and haloperidol are equally effective for treatment of overall agitated behaviors in patients with dementia, but specific symptoms may respond preferentially to a particular agent.
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Am J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jan 1997
An open pilot study of citalopram for behavioral disturbances of dementia. Plasma levels and real-time observations.
Citalopram, in European studies, has shown some early promise for treatment of poststroke depression and behavioral complications of dementia. An open pilot study of citalopram was conducted in 16 patients with dementia and behavioral disturbances. ⋯ The mean citalopram plasma level-to-dose ratio was found to be twice that previously reported in younger patients. These pilot findings should encourage future placebo concentration-controlled trials.