AbstractObjectiveTo describe the use of psychotropics in the nondemented and demented elderly.ParticipantsThe home‐dwelling elderly (n=523) among the random sample of 700 subjects from the total population of individuals aged 75 years or more in 1998 and living in the city of Kuopio, Finland.MethodsA trained nurse interviewed the participants about their health and current use of medicines. A geriatrician performed clinical examinations and diagnosed diseases. Dementia and depression were diagnosed according to the DSM‐IV criteria.ResultsThe demented subjects used more medicines of all kinds (p<0.01), and especially more psychotropics than the nondemented (p<0.001). One in four demented subjects, compared to one in ten nondemented ones used at least two psychotropics (p<0.01). The demented subjects used antipsychotics six times more often than the nondemented ones (p<0.001). Among the nondemented subjects, one out of two antipsychotics users was suffering from depression according to DSM‐IV criteria. Three out of four persons who had dementia with Lewy bodies were using psychotropics. Persons with moderate dementia were more commonly using all kinds of psychotropic preparations especially, antipsychotics three times more commonly than persons with mild or severe dementia.ConclusionPsychotropics, especially antipsychotics, are commonly used in the treatment of both nondemented and demented elderly, even without proper indication. Physicians need more training about the appropriate use of psychotropics to minimize their adverse effects. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.