016 – Medications for Sundowning: What Dementia Caregivers Should Know

In This Episode:

Dr. Kernisan explains the medications that can be used for sundowning and agitation in Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. 

She covers:

• Medications for sundowning and dementia agitation
• Recap of sundowning
• Recap of how to manage sundowning & agitation
• Medication options for sundowning
• Antipsychotics for sundowning & agitation
• Benzodiazepines for sundowning & agitation
• Antidepressants for sundowning & agitation
• Dementia drugs and cholinesterase inhibitors for sundowning
• Less used: Depakote & dextromethorphan-quinidine for sundowning
• Comparing the medication options
• What to check before trying medication
• What dementia/Alzheimer’s caregivers need

Related episode: 

• 014 – Sundowning in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: What to know & do

Related Resources:

• 5 Types of Medication Used to Treat Sundowning & Difficult Dementia Behaviors