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A Case Report of Treatment-Resistant Agitation in Dementia With Lewy Bodies: Medical Marijuana as an Alternative to Antipsychotics.
- Source :
-
Journal of palliative medicine [J Palliat Med] 2023 May; Vol. 26 (5), pp. 737-740. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Dec 26. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Palliative care teams are often consulted to assist in treating persistent dementia-related behavioral issues. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) offers an alternative to traditional antipsychotic drugs in the long-term management of dementia with behavioral change. We present the case of an 85-year-old man with dementia with Lewy bodies with worsening aggression refractory to antipsychotic management. Multiple regimens of antipsychotics failed both in the outpatient and inpatient settings. After exhausting other options and in the setting of worsening agitation, a tincture of THC was prescribed. After starting THC tincture, the patient's behavior rapidly improved, and he was discharged home to the care of his spouse. The challenges of prescribing and obtaining THC are discussed.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1557-7740
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of palliative medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 36576970
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2022.0343