Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Dementia, Drowsiness And Tremors In The Hands And Legs
Question: Hi! My mom is 96 years old and she has dementia,
About two weeks ago, she was in the hospital, where she was admitted because she had shaking / tremor hands and legs.
Psychiatrist in the hospital has prescribed Haloperidol 1mg and Valproic ACD 1 tea spoon 2 times per day.
these medications have made her very sleepy and weak.
per her doctor's advice, we have reduced the dose of Haloperidol to 0.5 mg.
she was sleepy despite of reducing the dosage.
after that we have decided to reduce the dosage of Haloperidol to 0.25 mg. my mom had sleep a bit less,but the hands and legs have started to shake again.
please advise how to adjust medication somewhere in between (so hand shaking and sleep due to drowsiness are balanced), or should we change the medication
About two weeks ago, she was in the hospital, where she was admitted because she had shaking / tremor hands and legs.
Psychiatrist in the hospital has prescribed Haloperidol 1mg and Valproic ACD 1 tea spoon 2 times per day.
these medications have made her very sleepy and weak.
per her doctor's advice, we have reduced the dose of Haloperidol to 0.5 mg.
she was sleepy despite of reducing the dosage.
after that we have decided to reduce the dosage of Haloperidol to 0.25 mg. my mom had sleep a bit less,but the hands and legs have started to shake again.
please advise how to adjust medication somewhere in between (so hand shaking and sleep due to drowsiness are balanced), or should we change the medication
Brief Answer:
None of the medicines stated are for hand shaking
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for using Healthcare Magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Both medicines, haloperidol and valproate manage behavior problem in dementia but have no role in managing tremors. Infact they have a tendency to produce or increase the tremors.
Propranolol is the medicine which can reduce the tremors and can be used here. It can be stated in the dose of 20mg and can be even increased to 40mg.hiwver you need to inform to yuur doctor to check if there arr any medical contraindication to this medicine in your client.
Hope this helps
Regards.
Dr Srikanth Reddy MD
None of the medicines stated are for hand shaking
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for using Healthcare Magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
Both medicines, haloperidol and valproate manage behavior problem in dementia but have no role in managing tremors. Infact they have a tendency to produce or increase the tremors.
Propranolol is the medicine which can reduce the tremors and can be used here. It can be stated in the dose of 20mg and can be even increased to 40mg.hiwver you need to inform to yuur doctor to check if there arr any medical contraindication to this medicine in your client.
Hope this helps
Regards.
Dr Srikanth Reddy MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Haloperidol is antipsychotic medication which she needs to reduce hallucinations.
If it increase tremor, may it be substituted by another medication. You think, valproic ACD has to be substituted by propranolol? What to do to reduce her drowsiness?
I am still waiting for answer
If it increase tremor, may it be substituted by another medication. You think, valproic ACD has to be substituted by propranolol? What to do to reduce her drowsiness?
I am still waiting for answer
Brief Answer:
I would suggest adding propranolol instead
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Instead of substituting, I woukd suggest adding propranolol to the current medicines. The only major contraindication of propranolol is history of asthma.
Kind regards
Dr Srikanth
I would suggest adding propranolol instead
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Instead of substituting, I woukd suggest adding propranolol to the current medicines. The only major contraindication of propranolol is history of asthma.
Kind regards
Dr Srikanth
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
