antipsychotic meds and dementia

Lee39

Others are likely very aware of this, but I just saw an article on a new study from the United Kingdom about adverse reactions in people with dementia from antipsychotic drugs. If anyone is interested, the article I saw was in "Worst Pills, Best Pills News" June 2024 issue. Perhaps someone more tech savvy than I can post a link to the article from their web site (www.worstpills.org)

Quilting brings calm

we ARE aware. However in some situations it comes down to quality of life and safety - for both the PWD and their caregiver. Dementia is a terminal illness. Caregiving is required because the PWD is no longer able to care for themselves. If they are aggressive and agitated, then who can care for them without having their own physical safety threatened? These forums have many entries from people were attacked or threatened by the people they were attempting to care for. If a PWD attacks a person and causes harm… what is the legal system able to do with them.

M1

welcome to the forum Lee. This is not new news, all of the antipsychotics carry a “black box” warning for adverse events in the elderly. But this study referenced in the April 2024 British Medical Journal has some flaws, it’s not clear that they controlled for disease severity. Of course those in the earlier stages of disease or without behavioral disturbances fared better. The sad fact is that for many of us there is no good alternative and it’s a matter of picking your poison. Many people including me are in the position of taking the risks of antipsychotic use in order to have a manageable quality of life for our loved ones and ourselves.

housefinch

Same issue with SSRI antidepressants in teens. We use them anyway because the risk of untreated depression is not minor….. Remember that untreated symptoms can have severe consequences, too——another MD like @M1