London: Antipsychotic drug use can increase the risk of mortality by 60 per cent among people with Alzheimer's disease, a new study has warned. The risk was highest at the beginning of drug use and remained increased in long-term use, researchers found. Use of two or more antipsychotic drugs simultaneously was
associated with almost two times higher risk of mortality than monotherapy, they said.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland compared the risk of mortality between the most commonly used antipsychotic drugs. Haloperidol was associated with highest risk of mortality, and the use of higher doses of haloperidol and risperidone were associated with an increased risk of mortality compared with low-dose risperidone use.
The association of antipsychotic drug use with mortality was studied in persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease between 2005 and 2011. Out of 57,755 people, 27 per cent started antipsychotic drug use during the follow-up. The register-based study was restricted to persons who did not use antipsychotics during the year preceding the start of follow-up, did not have history of a psychiatric disorder, and did not have active cancer at the start of follow-up.
The study confirmed current recommendations that antipsychotic drugs should be used only for the most difficult behavioural symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and aggression, and the duration of use should be limited. The lowest effective doses are recommended and simultaneous use of two or more antipsychotics should be avoided. The study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
