Psychotropic prescribing is very common in people with dementia admitted to acute hospitals and is more common in people admitted from residential care than from home or other care settings.

The majority of new psychotropics prescribed are antipsychotics, and to a much lesser extent benzodiazepines, while antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and cognitive enhancers are rarely commenced for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia in acute hospitals.

Antipsychotic prescribing in acute hospitals in Ireland for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia appears to occur without sufficient comprehensive assessment, trials of non-pharmacological alternatives, and with insufficient review for effectiveness and side effects.