Update 2000 - Guidelines for prescribing psychoactive drugs

As patients age, a pattern develops in the primary care setting of underdia gnosis and undertreatment of psychiatric disorders, including dementing ill nesses and depression. Choosing an appropriate psychoactive drug and dosage for an older patient is a complex task, due to the wide array of medicatio ns available and the need for careful titration. To address these problems, this article provides prescribing recommendations for antidepressants, ant ipsychotic medications, benzodiazepines (antianxiety/hypnotics), and other psychoactive medications.