Scientists from the University of Manchester have found that antipsychotic drugs, commonly prescribed to treat behavioural issues in dementia, increase the risk of stroke, blood clots, heart attack, heart failure, fractures, pneumonia and acute kidney injury. published In the BMJ (British Medical Journal).
Scientists analyzed data on the health and well-being of 173,910 patients with dementia, with an average age of 82. The study also included information on 35,339 patients who were prescribed antipsychotic medication on the day of diagnosis. Neuroleptics, or antipsychotics, are medications that can treat delusions, hallucinations, and other symptoms of psychosis. Properly selected antipsychotics are believed to facilitate the care and supervision of patients with dementia, delirium, and senile delirium.
Taking antipsychotics was found to be associated with a 1.7-fold increased risk of acute kidney injury and a 1.6-fold increased risk of stroke and venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and life-threatening pulmonary embolism).
The researchers also estimated that use of antipsychotic medications during the first six months of treatment was associated with one additional case of pneumonia in every nine patients and one additional heart attack in every 167 patients. Antipsychotic use was also associated with an increased risk of heart failure, heart attack, and fractures from falls.
The researchers noted that their study was observational and did not attempt to establish cause-and-effect relationships. The results may be due to factors such as misclassification of antipsychotic use, the scientists said.
Previously was named Diet that slows memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.