Risks of antipsychotics for dementia ‘more severe’ than previously thought

Concerns have been raised after risks linked to antipsychotics for dementia ‘may be more severe than previously thought’

Antipsychotic drugs may be prescribed for people with dementia who develop aggression and psychosis, but these drugs are usually only prescribed after other drugs have been tried such as antidepressants, antidementia or anticonvulsant drugs. Some 35,339 were prescribed antipsychotics during the study – 63% of whom were women – and their medical records were compared to dementia patients who were not prescribed these drugs.

The study is observational, so no firm conclusions can be made about cause and effect, but the authors wrote: “The range of adverse outcomes was wider than previously highlighted in regulatory alerts, with the highest risks soon after initiation of treatment.” Commenting on the study, Dr Sheona Scales, director of research at the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “The distressing symptoms of dementia, such as confusion and agitation, pose significant challenges for people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers.

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