Alzheimer's Society: Comment on new study into antipsychotics

Thursday, 29, Mar 2007 12:00

Neuroleptics have been used as a dangerous fix for 'challenging behaviour' in people with dementia for too long. They are not licensed for use among people with dementia, but continue to be hugely over-prescribed.

These drugs have now been exposed as having no benefit for people with dementia, while causing a dramatic increase in the risk of death. It is a disturbing revelation that confirms some of our worst fears about neuroleptics, which have been the subject of numerous health warnings.

It is a national scandal that people are being sedated in this way. Research by the Alzheimer's Society has shown training for care home staff reduces the need to use neuroleptics and is a more effective tool for managing challenging behaviour. Training for care staff must now be an urgent priority. These drugs must be a last resort only used when all other methods have failed to alleviate the most distressing symptoms of dementia.

Neil Hunt

Chief Executive

Alzheimer's Society

Notes to editors:

* The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.

* Over 700,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.

* A study by the Alzheimer's Society published in the British Medical Journal in 2006 found that training and educating care home staff about dementia reduces instances of disruptive behaviour and the use of unlicensed anti-psychotics.

* The Committee on Safety of Medicines decided in 2004 that neuroleptic drugs risperidone and olanzapine should not be used for the treatment of behavioural symptoms in people with dementia because they increase the risk of stroke by up to three times.

* For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336

* Our website address is: www.alzheimers.org.uk