Brief report: clonazepam behavioral side effects with an individual with mental retardation.

Behavioral side effects associated with clonazepam may include agitation, aggression, hyperactivity, irritability, property destruction, and temper tantrums. These side effects may be inadvertently confused with other behavioral or psychiatric conditions, especially if exacerbation of existing challenging behavior occurs. This report describes an individual with mental retardation who experienced behavioral exacerbation associated with clonazepam prescribed at 2 mg/day (0.

Benzodiazepine behavioral side effects: review and implications for individuals with mental retardation.

Behavioral side effects associated with benzodiazepines (such as clonazepam, diazepam, and lorazepam) are an easily overlooked and underrecognized problem with individuals who have mental retardation and can be inadvertently confused with other behavioral or psychiatric conditions. Based upon a literature review, behavioral side effects occurred for 13.0% of 446 individuals with mental retardation who were prescribed benzodiazepines for either behavioral or psychiatric conditions (n = 138, 17.

Results of barbiturate antiepileptic drug discontinuation on antipsychotic medication dose in individuals with intellectual disability.

Five individuals with intellectual disability prescribed both a barbiturate antiepileptic drug (AED) and an antipsychotic medication were identified in a public residential facility. It was hypothesized that antipsychotic medication was prescribed at doses higher than necessary as a result of inadvertent barbiturate AED behavioural side-effects thought to be part of the underlying psychiatric or behavioural condition. To test this hypothesis, barbiturate AEDs were gradually reduced, and replaced with either carbamazepine or valproic acid, and antipsychotic medication was gradually reduced as well.

Antiepileptic drug behavioral side effects in individuals with mental retardation and the use of behavioral measurement techniques.

Measurement methods from behavioral psychology were used to assess antiepileptic drug behavioral side effects in 5 individuals with mental retardation. When the suspected antiepileptic drug was altered, an 81% reduction of maladaptive behaviors occurred. Quality of life outcomes included successful community placement and termination of an aversive intervention procedure.

How well do physicians, pharmacists, and psychologists assess tardive dyskinesia movements?

Objective: To measure and compare the tardive dyskinesia assessment ability of physicians, pharmacists, and psychologists prior to and after formal training.

Method: One hundred twenty-two physicians, 82 pharmacists, and 78 psychologists participated in assessment training with the Dyskinesia Identification System Condensed User Scale (DISCUS). Participants were shown one of three videotapes as a pretest before training and as a posttest after training.