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Alzheimer's meds can cause harm

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Alzheimer's meds can cause harm Mon 24 Oct 2005 06:55 pm CST WASHINGTON (myDNA News) To learn more visit myDNA's Mental Health Center Read More

Prescription drugs used to treat behavioral problems caused by the onset of dementia may carry an increased mortality rate, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Southern California examined the results of 15 previous studies involving the use of various atypical antipsychotic medications, specifically Zyprexa, Risperdal, Seroquel and Abilify. Through a comprehensive investigation of more than 5,000 dementia patients diagnosed with behavioral disorders related to their condition, the study concluded that atypical antipsychotics raise the risk of death by 54 percent.

Statistically, 3.5 percent of the antipsychotic subject group died during the 12-week study, compared to 2.3 percent in the control group (i.e. dementia patients that were not administered antipsychotic). The research team did not reveal the causes of the related deaths in the study, but previous warnings issued by the Food and Drug Administration have suggested that the antipsychotic drugs carry a heart failure and pneumonia risk in elderly patients diagnosed with dementia.

The research team points out that the study's findings warrant a certain ambiguity, as the study's subjects were frail, elderly patients already at risk for death. Because of this, they state that while antipsychotics may carry a health risk, the psychological benefits presented by the medications likely outweigh the potential danger presented to the patient.

In his editorial, Dr. Peter V. Rabins comments that the study demonstrates a communication gap between pharmaceutical companies and the healthcare community, as companies often fail to release relevant data pertaining to the study.

"The authors of the paper did not have access to the cause of death. Pharmaceutical companies have that information. Only if they communicate it can we find the cause of death."