Dementia care in individuals with a Learning Disability: Pharmacotherapeutic Considerations

There is an increase in prevalence rates of dementia in people with a learning disability. Dementia can have a profound impact on a person’s life and that of their carers and family. An interrelationship exists between dementia and sleep problems, seizures, neuropsychiatric symptoms and other comorbidities, with medications often prescribed to manage these comorbid conditions. Pharmacological treatment has been used to alleviate symptoms of dementia in the early stages. However, people with a learning disability are more likely to experience adverse drug reactions than people who do not have comorbidities or genetic syndromes. Finally, this article will consider new pharmaceutical treatments for dementia and how a low dose and regular monitoring is recommended for any new medications that are prescribed.