Alzheimer’s Society comment on new research showing that antipsychotic drugs accelerate cognitive deterioration in people with Alzheimer’s disease published in PLoS Medicine Journal

Over 100,000 people with dementia are currently prescribed antipsychotic drugs. Previous research has shown that antipsychotic drugs increase the risk of stroke and death for people with dementia. This blanket prescription puts vulnerable people at risk of side effects that are extremely distressing for the person and their families. This widespread over prescription to people with dementia must stop.

Dementia isn't just forgetfulness; it's caused by diseases of the brain and more than half of all people with dementia experience behavioural symptoms as part of their condition. Alzheimer's Society research has shown that basic dementia training can help staff deal with these symptoms and reduce the use of antipsychotics drugs by 50 per cent. It is time we stop wasting money giving people drug treatments with no benefit and start investing in good quality dementia care.

A report from the first parliamentary inquiry into the overuse of these drugs is due to be published next month.  It is vital the government acts now to address this serious issue. Anti-psychotics should only be given to a person with dementia as a last resort in the short term, when all other treatment options fail.

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society