A 70-year-old female aged-care resident was referred by her general practitioner for a residential medication management review after nurses reported difficulties with swallowing, episodes of hyperthermia, elevated blood pressure, and tachycardia. These symptoms were accompanied by increasing confusion and drowsiness. Risperidone had recently been prescribed to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. This case study describes the pharmacist-initiated management of the symptoms through a national medication review program. It demonstrates the valuable role collaborative medication reviews play in managing adverse drug reactions in aged-care.
Keywords: adverse drug reaction; aged-care; long-term care; neuroleptic malignant syndrome or NMS and medication review.