Agitation - Articles | CARLAT PUBLISHING

Clinical Update

Brexpiprazole’s New Claims

January 28, 2026

Kate Travis, MD. Attending Psychiatrist, Houston Methodist, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. Volunteer Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. Travis has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.

Brexpiprazole’s uses are expanding beyond its original indications, with new research exploring its role in dementia and PTSD.

“Where’s My Boat?” — Treating Agitation in Dementia

September 1, 2025

Daniel Carlat, MD

We’re often told antipsychotics are a last resort for agitation in dementia. And that’s true—they are. But when you do reach that last resort, you need to know how to use it—and how to talk about it with families.

Fact Sheet

Apathy in Dementia: Diagnosis and Treatment

August 2, 2025

Rehan Aziz, MD

Dr. Aziz has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.
Full Fact Sheet Editorial Information

Apathy is the most common behavioral disturbance in dementia, impacting up to 36% of patients with dementia and 12%–40% of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Fact Sheet

Agitation in Dementia: Nonpharmacological Treatment

August 2, 2025

Rehan Aziz, MD

Dr. Aziz has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.
Full Fact Sheet Editorial Information

Nonpharmacological interventions are the first-line treatment of agitation in patients with dementia due to their better safety profile and effectiveness, though they are unsuitable in situations where immediate results are needed.

Fact Sheet

Agitation in Dementia: Nonurgent Treatment

August 2, 2025

Rehan Aziz, MD

Dr. Aziz has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.
Full Fact Sheet Editorial Information

Nonurgent agitation consists of distressing symptoms and behaviors that do not immediately jeopardize patient or caregiver safety.

Fact Sheet

Agitation in Dementia: Urgent Treatment

August 2, 2025

Rehan Aziz, MD

Dr. Aziz has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.
Full Fact Sheet Editorial Information

Urgent agitation threatens the safety and well-being of the patient and others, like caregivers and staff.

Expert Q&A

Managing Behavioral and Psychological Disturbances in the Nursing Home

April 1, 2024

Maureen C. Nash, MD

Maureen C. Nash, MD.

Medical Director, Providence ElderPlace PACE Oregon. Co-editor, Neurocognitive Behavioral Disorders: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient-Centered Care (Springer; 2019). All comments are Dr. Nash’s personal views and not those of any organization.

Dr. Nash has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.

Dr. Maureen Nash shares how CMS regulations for using antipsychotics in nursing homes affects quality of care.

Research Update

Sublingual Dexmedetomidine for Acute Agitation in Bipolar Disorder

January 31, 2024

Sébastien Hardy, PharmD, BCPS.

Sébastien Hardy, PharmD, BCPS. Dr. Hardy has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.

Sublingual dexmedetomidine was found to work effectively and quickly for mild to moderate agitation in patients with bipolar disorder.

Clinical Update

Inpatient Use of Benzodiazepines for Patients With Substance Use Disorders

January 31, 2024

Audrey Abelleira, PharmD, BCPP

Audrey Abelleira, PharmD, BCPP. Clinical pharmacist practitioner, VA Connecticut Healthcare System; clinical instructor, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Dr. Abelleira has no financial relationships with companies related to this material.

Benzodiazepines are highly beneficial for managing anxiety and agitation in psychiatric inpatient settings, but we must be cautious about prescribing them to patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Here we review strategies to reduce the risk of benzodiazepine misuse and discuss alternative medication options, including second-generation antipsychotics, antidepressants, gabapentin, and pregabalin.

Expert Q&A

Cannabis Use for Managing Agitation in Dementia

January 1, 2024

Aaron Greenstein, MD.

Aaron Greenstein, MD.

Geriatric psychiatrist in private practice, Denver, CO. Dr. Greenstein is a medical advisor for BrainCheck, Sensi.AI, and Optimize VBC. He is a consultant for GE Healthcare and LEK Consulting.

Relevant financial relationships listed for the author have been mitigated.

Dr. Aaron Greenstein describes when to use dronabinol and dispensary cannabis products for treating agitation in dementia.