Structured Medication Reviews in adults with a Learning Disability

People with a learning disability are 14-times more likely to be prescribed an antipsychotic medication than the general population and this is often to treat behaviour that is thought to be challenging (an unlicensed indication). Possible side effects include (but are not limited to) sedation, weight gain, increased diabetic and CVD risk, movement disorders, and sexual dysfunction. Given this inequality in prescribing and the potential impact side effects may have on quality of life, regular reviews should be undertaken, with a view to deprescribing where antipsychotic medication is no longer appropriate. Structured medication reviews (SMRs) are the best tested intervention for reducing overprescribing. Studies have shown them to be an effective way to address inappropriate prescribing and polypharmacy, and they are endorsed by NICE. 

This toolkit contains resources to support structured medication reviews in adults with a learning disability, helping to ensure that people are given psychotropic medication for the right reasons, in the lowest dose, for the shortest time.