Potentially inappropriate medicines for older adults with intellectual disability: Clinical implications from a medication audit

Objective: To investigate medications that have the potential to be inappropriately prescribed for people with intellectual disability (ID) and to explore possible issues surrounding the potential harm that can result from the use of groups of medicines for people with ID who are ageing and living longer. Methods: An audit of medical case records of 350 patients under the care of an organisation in New Zealand was undertaken to examine existing medication profiles. Results: Of the 350 patients, 95% were prescribed at least five or more medicines, with 7% of patients have 10 or more medicines. Increasing prescriptions are evident for those 56 years old and above. Conclusion: Medicines that may have been appropriate for people with intellectual disability when they were younger may have the potential to cause harm when they age. It is therefore important that monitoring and evaluation of medications for ageing individuals with intellectual disability are regularly undertaken.