Antipsychotic drugs increase the risk of death
On January 9, The Lancet Neurology published the results of a study according to which antipsychotic drug therapy in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease may increase the long-term risk of death. According to the authors of the study, the data they obtained indicate more than serious problems with the safety of long-term use of antipsychotic drugs in this population, and clinicians, in their opinion, should try to replace this class of drugs with safer treatment approaches.
The study, conducted from 2001 to 2004, involved 165 patients aged 67-100 years with moderate and high severity Alzheimer's disease, who were randomized into two groups — receiving antipsychotic drugs and placebo, respectively.
The results of the study indicate that patients for whom the antipsychotic therapy regimen was maintained are at a significantly higher risk of death after 1 year or more compared to those who continued treatment with placebo replacement. Thus, it was revealed that after 2 years among patients receiving antipsychotic drugs, 46% remained alive compared to 71% among those taking placebo, after 3 years these figures were 30 and 59%, respectively.
Researchers believe that there are important but limited indications for the use of antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of severe symptoms, especially aggression. However, the accumulated information in the context of the safety of the use of these funds underlines the urgent need to stop their unnecessary and prolonged use.
Among the antipsychotic drugs used in the study was Risperdal/Risperdal (risperidone, Johnson & Johnson), as well as thioridazine, chlorpromazine, haloperidol and trifluoperazine.
Weekly "Pharmacy"Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru