Antipsychotic Drugs Have Too Many Side Effects For Alzheimer's Patients

Antipsychotic drugs, such as Zyprexa, Seroquel and Risperdal, have side effects which are greater than their benefits for Alzheimer's patients, say researchers from the USA. These drugs are regularly prescribed to treat psychosis and aggression in patients with Alzheimer's disease.


You can read about this new study in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).


Study leader, Dr. Lon Schneider, Unviersity of Southern California, USA, said the drugs do have some effects in treating symptoms, when compared to a placebo. However, the intolerable side-effects they bring with them offset the benefits for this vulnerable population.


Antipsychotic drugs are commonly used for Alzheimer's patients, despite there being no compelling evidence that their benefits are greater than their shortcomings. This new study provides the evidence - showing the drawbacks tend to outweigh the benefits.


In this 42-site, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the team examined 421 Alzheimer's patients - they all also suffered from aggression, delusions, hallucinations and/or agitation. They were given either a placebo or one of the three antipsychotic drugs - olanzapine (mean dose, 5.5 mg per day), quetiapine (mean dose, 56.5 mg per day), risperidone (mean dose, 1.0 mg per day). All the patients were followed up during 36 weeks. Doses were adjusted as needed.


Eventually, 85% of patients stopped taking the prescription drugs - either because of the magnitude of the side-effects, or because they did not work. Between 26% - 32% of those on the prescription drugs improved, compared to 21% of those on the placebo.


The antipsychotic drugs made the patients gain weight, as well as making them confused and sleepy.


The team concluded that the prescription medications were no better than the placebo.


"Effectiveness of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease"

Lon S. Schneider, M.D., Pierre N. Tariot, M.D., Karen S. Dagerman, M.S., Sonia M. Davis, Dr.P.H., John K. Hsiao, M.D., M. Saleem Ismail, M.D., Barry D. Lebowitz, Ph.D., Constantine G. Lyketsos, M.D., M.H.S., J. Michael Ryan, M.D., T. Scott Stroup, M.D., David L. Sultzer, M.D., Daniel Weintraub, M.D., Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D., for the CATIE-AD Study Group

NEJM Volume 355:1525-1538 October 12, 2006 Number 15

Click here to see abstract online


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View drug information on Risperdal Oral Formulation; Seroquel; Zyprexa.