Gradual Dose Reduction/Tapering Myths Versus Reality: A Clinical Perspective
Course Description:
Even though the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and guidelines require or suggest tapering of medications, the clinical implementation of such a tapering attempt can be complicated in the long-term care population. This session will attempt to address the practical application of the tapering guidelines for each of the medication classes mentioned in the CMS document (i.e., psychopharmacological, antipsychotic, sedative/hypnotic) while focusing on relevant current standards of practice and recent clinical trials that inform such practice.
Presenter:
Manju T. Beier, PharmD, FASCP
Senior Partner, Geriatric Consultant Resources LLC
Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Michigan
Faculty Disclosure:
Manju T. Beier has nothing to disclose.
Goals and Objectives:
1. Explain the purpose and goal of attempting a taper or gradual dose reduction of a medication
2. List examples of medications that may need to be gradually tapered rather than being abruptly discontinued and the reasons why gradual tapering is imperative for those medications
3. Describe clinical factors that determine timeframes for the various classes before a taper attempt can be determined to be a success or failure
4. Provide examples of relevant current standards of practice and recent clinical trials for management of late-life depression and behavioral symptoms related to dementia
5. Discuss action steps and documentation necessary, from a clinical perspective, when a taper attempt fails and/or when a resident refuses a dose reduction attempt
Target Audience:
Pharmacists
Fee:
Member Price: $10.00
Non-Member Price: $25.00
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