[Dysphagia] Antipsychotics etc.

[eripley at yahoo.com (Irene Campbell-Taylor)]

It isn't only the obvious antipsychotics one should worry about but the hidden neuroleptics such as Reglan as well as a multitude of other psychotropic meds that cause oral dyskinesias, severe xerostomia, exacerbated reflux (e.g. benzodiazepines) and on and on.... The elderly are, of course, most at risk.  Inability to maintain nutrition and hydration p.o., reduces resistance to infection, increases dehydration leading to hemodynamic instability, falls, UTIs etc. 
  There are hundreds of articles on the subject of the deleterious effects of medications on the swallow. The unfortunate fact is that pharmacists don't know it.


Dr I Campbell-Taylor
Clinical Neuroscientist
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