Antipsychotic drugs increase mortality

Antipsychotic drugs are over prescribed to people with dementia, according to care services minister Paul Burstow.

Speaking at the National Dementia Congress yesterday, Mr Burstow claimed that the drugs are killing people by increasing the risk of strokes and other life threatening conditions.

The department claims 1,800 people die prematurely every year as a result of antipsychotic drugs.

Commenting on Mr Burstow's claims, the Alzheimer's Society stated: "This abuse must end. The government has had two years to find a way to significantly reduce these prescription levels.

"We need to see a mandatory review of antipsychotic prescriptions after 12 weeks put in place."

Scientific research has also confirmed that antipsychotic drugs increase the risk of death in people with dementia.

Antipsychotic drugs are used to treat psychotic conditions, such as schizophrenia, but they are also used to control manic behaviour in dementia patients.

A Philadelphia study claims that both newer atypical antipsychotics and older conventional antipsychotics are associated with increased mortality. However, the highest risk is posed by older conventional drugs.

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.