A recent study in England reports that antipsychotic drugs significantly increase risks of pneumonia, stroke, and other serious health issues in dementia patients, urging caution in their prescription.
A recent study has highlighted increased health risks associated with using antipsychotic drugs for dementia patients, including pneumonia, bone fractures, stroke, and heart issues. Conducted in England, the research analyzed data from 174,000 dementia patients diagnosed between 1998 and 2018. Findings from the study, which were published in The BMJ, showed that dementia patients on antipsychotic medications had a two-fold increased risk of developing pneumonia compared to those not on these drugs. Additional risks identified included increased incidents of stroke, bone fractures, heart attack, heart failure, kidney injury, and blood clots, particularly prominent in the first week of treatment.
Experts, including Professors Charles Marshall and Darren Ashcroft from Queen Mary University of London and the University of Manchester respectively, emphasized the need for caution when prescribing these medications. The study advocates for minimizing the use of antipsychotics in dementia patients, suggesting safer behavioral management strategies and the exploration of alternative treatment options. Researchers and healthcare professionals are calling for a careful balance between the benefits and the associated risks, recommending regular review of treatment plans. The concern about the safety of antipsychotic use in dementia patients particularly grew during the pandemic, according to Dr Sheona Scales from Alzheimer’s Research UK, stressing the importance of judicious application of these potent drugs.
