Indicator 8: Sensitivity to Antipsychotic Medication
Individuals with DLB often have a unique clinical feature: a heightened sensitivity to antipsychotic medications. This sensitivity is not just a side effect, but it can also be a helpful diagnostic clue.
Antipsychotic medications are often used to manage hallucinations or delusions in various psychiatric conditions. However, when used in people with DLB, these drugs can cause severe adverse reactions, including marked sedation, motor deterioration, and in some cases, life-threatening complications.
Understanding this sensitivity is essential, especially when antipsychotics are being considered to manage visual hallucinations or behavioral symptoms in DLB. The risk-benefit profile needs careful evaluation. The person’s healthcare provider must be aware of this sensitivity to choose the best management strategies.
The exact reasons behind this sensitivity to antipsychotics in DLB are not entirely understood. It’s thought to be related to the underlying differences in brain chemistry between DLB and other conditions where these medications are often used.(8)
