Research Article

Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Practice of Issues Related to Using Psychotropic Medication in Elderly People in Ethiopia: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study

Table 3

Pharmacy personnel’s knowledge on psychotropic medication used in elderly people, Gondar, Ethiopia, April 2020, .

StatementResponse
TrueFalseI do not know

Statement related to dosage
1Due to changed metabolism and a higher sensitivity, older persons need a lower dose of antipsychotics or benzodiazepines in order to get the same effect.102 (70.8)23 (16)19 (13.2)
2The recommended daily dosage of olanzapine is 50 to 100 mg in older people with severe behavioral disorders in dementia.83 (57.6)49 (34)12 (8.3)
3The recommended daily dose of risperidone is 0.5 to 2 mg in older people with severe behavioral disorders in dementia.55 (38.2)30 (20.8)59 (41)
4Ageing is associated with physiological changes in the sleeping pattern. To reverse these changes in the sleep pattern, hypnosedative medications may be used in low dose during a short period.35 (24.3)41 (28.5)68 (47.2)
Statements related to selection of appropriate medications
5With the exception of delirium tremens, antipsychotics are preferred above benzodiazepines for sedating older patients with severe agitation or delirium.66 (45.8)34 (23.6)44 (30.6)
6Antipsychotic medications can have a place in the treatment of delirium.60 (41.7)24 (16.7)60 (41.7)
7Antipsychotic medications reduce such symptoms as delusions and hallucinations.58 (40.3)23 (16)63 (43.8)
8In the care of older adults with dementia, antipsychotic medications are preferred over behavior-oriented therapy.50 (34.7)24 (16.7)70 (48.6)
9Only in severe cases of sleeplessness and failure of alternative therapies with proven effectiveness, hypnosedatives can be administrated for a short period of time in the old.54 (37.5)22 (15.3)68 (47.2)
10The effects of diazepam, a benzodiazepine, can last for a long time, making it not proper to use in this age category.51 (35.4)54 (37.5)39 (27.1)
11Next to nonpharmacological therapies, hypnosedatives are to be used for treatment and minimization of the symptoms of anxiety disorders.55 (38.2)43 (29.9)46 (31.9)
Statement related to side effect
12Use of hypnosedatives can lead to physical and emotional dependency.73 (50.7)10 (6.9)61 (42.4)
13Long-term (3 months or above) intake of antipsychotic medications increases the risk for cerebrovascular accidents56 (38.9)22 (15.3)66 (45.8)
14Antipsychotic medications can cause side effects in the old such as disorientation, urine retention, dry mouth, and blurred vision.62 (43.1)19 (13.2)63 (43.8)
15Long-term intake (3 months or above) of atypical antipsychotic medications can lead to an increase in weight.59 (41)30 (20.8)55 (38.2)
16Patients starting on antipsychotic medication are susceptible to postural hypotension.47 (32.6)36 (25)61 (42.4)
17One of the side effects of haloperidol is akathisia, which manifests with constant pacing and restlessness.60 (41.7)19 (13.2)65 (45.1)
18There is a connection between long-term (3 months or above) intake of antipsychotic medications and the prevalence of falls in the old.59 (41)22 (15.3)63 (43.8)
19Benzodiazepines can lead to side effects in the old like confusion, memory, and concentration disorders.72 (50)16 (11.1)56 (38.9)

Values are represented as numbers (%), and correct answers are in boldface.