Use of anti-psychotic for Alzheimer’s disease doubles death risk

Anti psychotic drugs are commonly used in order to treat patients suffering from the Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent medical study doctors revealed that the use of such drugs actually doubles the chances of the patient dying within a few years.

The lead author of the paper that enlightened the masses regarding this issue from the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases at King’s College London said “For the vast majority of Alzheimer’s patients, taking these drugs is probably not a worthwhile risk.” Clive Ballard said “Would I want to take a drug that slightly reduced my aggression but doubled my risk of dying? I’m not sure I would.”

The research was published in the medical journal Lancet Neurology on Friday. Alzheimer’s disease is known to trigger dementia in the long run. Amongst the symptoms of this disease are hallucinations, delusions and aggression. The studies conducted in the past regarding the effects of anti psychotic drugs for controlling the symptoms showed them to be effective but also hinted at the raising different health risks including the risk of death.

The study involved the observation of 165 patients between the age bracket of 67 to 100 years. The observation was initiated in 2001 and lasted till 2004. While half the patients continued making use of anti psychotic drugs the other half got placebos instead.

39 of the 83 that were receiving anti psychotic drugs died in a span of one year. From the other half that received the fake pills 27 died in a year’s time. The bulk of the deaths in both the groups were caused because of pneumonia.

Of the patients making use of anti psychotic drugs only 46% survived after to years. On the opposite side 71% of the patients from the other groups had survived. After a span of three years only 30% of the patients on the drugs were still alive whereas 59% from the other group were alive.

Many guidelines have been issued regarding the use of anti psychotic drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s. Doctors are advised to prescribe their use for a temporary period. But a large percentage of those inflicted with the disease continue to receive the drugs in nursing homes which is becoming a grave concern for the researchers.