Psychoactive drugs in the elderly: antipsychotics and anxiolytics.

Psychiatric disorders in the elderly are common and often overlap with multiple medical problems. If used inappropriately, psychotropic drugs can further compromise a difficult clinical situation. Management of elderly patients with agitation, psychosis, anxiety, and insomnia are reviewed with a discussion of the optimal use of antipsychotic, anxiolytic, and sedating drugs. Initial attempts to control symptoms should involve nonpharmacologic techniques, but, when absolutely required, psychotropic drugs will often relieve symptoms with a minimum of side effects. Dangers in the chronic use of neuroleptics are stressed.