what are drugs used for chemical restraint
Overuse of Medication. A chemical restraint refers to the use of psycho-therapeutic medication or other drug to control a personâs behavior. Sometimes, chemical restraints are necessary for the safety of the patient or others. However, the law requires that the use of any chemical restraint is a last resort and should never be used merely for staff convenience. Some of the more common psycho-therapeutic medications used in nursing homes are: Ativan.
According to the FDA, unnecessary use of antipsychotic medication kills 15,000 nursing home patients every year. Of all the drugs used as chemical restraints, antipsychotics are the most widespread and may be the most dangerous.
Chemical restraints are incredibly dangerous. Using powerful psychotropic drugs has clear risk on a personâs physical and mental health, and should only be used when absolutely necessary. Chemical restraints on the other hand are used when there is no clear medical purpose.