Study Shows Risk of Death Almost Double with Certain Drug Treatments of Alzheimer's Patients
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The New York Times reported on Thursday, that a recent study shows that certain anti-psychotic drugs used to treat patients with Alzheimer's disease may drastically increase their risk of death. The paper's lead author, Clive Ballard, suggested that the risks of this treatment may outweigh the benefits provided by the drugs.
Alzheimer's disease causes dementia and other symptoms including aggression, delusions and hallucinations. The anti-psychotic drugs are used to control the aggression and hallucinations that some patients experience.
The study, conducted in Britain from 2001 to 2004, followed 165 patients aged 67 to 100 with Alzheimer's. Half of these patients continued taking anti-psychotic drugs and the other half took placebos.
Of the 83 receiving drugs, 39 were dead after a year. Of the 82 taking fake pills, 27 were dead after a year. Most deaths in both groups were due to pneumonia.
After two years, 46 percent of Alzheimer's patients taking the anti-psychotics were alive, versus 71 percent of those not on the drugs. After three years, only 30 percent of patients on the drugs were alive, versus 59 percent of those not taking drugs.
Experts suggested that the drug treatment of Alzheimer's patients be personalized and some people may not receive any benefit from treating with anti-psychotic medications. Others suggested environmental or behavioral therapies instead of drug treatment.
It is not clear how these drugs are increasing patients' risk of dying but some speculated that the medications could be damaging patients' brains and the sedative effects cause patients to exercise less, thereby putting them at greater risk for infections.
If you are concerned about the care and treatment of a loved one affected by Alzheimer's disease, question the doctors to ensure that the treatment plan is what works best for the patient. Caring for a loved one with a debilitating disease is emotionally and physically exhausting, but constant vigilance is necessary to ensure that your loved ones are treated effectively.
Here is some information on Risperdal, one of the anti-psychotic drugs used to treat patients with Alzheimer's.