Intellectual disabilities: Medication, safety and practical care

People with intellectual disabilities often need extra help when medicines are involved. That help can be medical—like choosing the right drug and dose—or everyday—like remembering pills and spotting side effects. This page gives straight, useful advice for families, carers and clinicians who want safer, simpler medication plans.

Medication and safety

Medication can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life, but it can also cause problems if not checked regularly. Start by keeping one clear, up-to-date list of every medicine, dose and why it’s used. Share that list with every clinician and pharmacist. Ask for a written plan that explains what to watch for—sleepiness, sudden mood changes, movement problems, falls, weight gain or new tummy issues.

Simplify the regimen where possible. Fewer daily doses and single-pill combinations reduce mistakes. If a behavior is the reason for a psychotropic drug, ask whether non-drug options were tried first—behavior support, communication aids, sleep and sensory checks. Drugs should be started at low doses and reviewed within weeks, not left for months without assessment.

Annual medication reviews are vital. A review should ask: do the benefits still outweigh side effects? Can we cut the dose? Is the diagnosis correct? If a specialist recommends stopping a drug, get a step-down plan so withdrawal is gradual and safe.

Daily care, monitoring and buying meds

For daily care, use clear packaging, alarms, or blister packs. Train all carers on who gives each dose and how to record it. Watch function—not just symptoms. Are they sleeping better? Eating? More engaged? Those are signs medicines are helping.

Side effects can look like new behavior. If someone becomes quieter, more restless, or has tremors after a change, talk to the prescriber. Some meds need extra checks: blood tests for liver or blood counts, ECGs for certain antipsychotics, or regular blood pressure checks. Ask which tests are needed and who will arrange them.

If you order medicine online, choose licensed pharmacies only. They should ask for a prescription, show a real address, and have a pharmacist you can contact. Avoid sites that sell prescription drugs without asking for a prescription or that offer unusually low prices with no contact info.

Finally, consent and decision-making matter. Use plain language, pictures, or family support to explain what a medicine does and what to expect. If the person lacks capacity, involve legal guardians or advocates and document decisions clearly. Small actions—one medicine list, a safety checklist, and regular reviews—make a big difference to safety and wellbeing.

If you want hands-on checklists or sample medicine lists to print, our site has easy templates and articles that walk you through safe online pharmacy checks and common drug side effects.