[A hospital problem: agitation in the elderly (author's transl)].

Tiapride was prescribed for 10 elderly patients with severe behavioural disorders : agitation, disturbed conduct, and agressiveness at the limits of dementia. The dosage was 300 mg orally per day in three divided doses, and treatment was maintained for 30 days. Excellent results were obtained in 8 cases, and 17 of these patients were able to resume normal activities outside the hospital. There was no effect in the other 2 patients. The product was very well-tolerated and in particular there were no sedative manifestations affecting sleep or altertness.