Antipsychotic Drugs for Alzheimer's?
Antipsychotic Drugs for Alzheimer's?
Researchers Stress the Need to Weigh Drugs' Risks
"We thought overall the drugs would show their effectiveness," Schneider says in a University of Southern California news release.
"The answer is yes, they are somewhat effective, but overall the efficacy is offset by adverse events that resulted in discontinuing the medication," Schneider continues.
"It was a surprise, in that the expert opinion which drove this study was that these drugs are particularly useful in treating these difficult symptoms," Schneider says.
"The findings here look at the time to discontinuation for the antipsychotics versus the placebo, and that time difference reflects the overall effectiveness of the medication. By that measure, the medications were not better than placebo," he says.
"The results suggest that antipsychotic drugs should be prescribed only with some deliberation," Schneider says.
The journal also includes an editorial by Jason Karlawish, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania's Alzheimer's Disease Center.
The findings "suggest that these drugs have a limited, but at time necessary, role in the care of patients with Alzheimer's disease," Karlawish writes.
"They are perhaps best prescribed in systems of care that can provide the skills and expertise needed to ensure that the risks associated with the drugs are justified by the potential benefits," Karlawish continues.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. The drugs were supplied by the drugs' makers.
Schneider and colleagues report various financial ties to drug companies including the drugs' makers. Karlawish reports no such financial ties.
Zyprexa is made by Eli Lilly and Company. Seroquel is made by AstraZeneca. Risperdal is made by Janssen Pharmaceutica. Lilly and AstraZeneca are WebMD sponsors.
Antipsychotic Drugs for Alzheimer's?
Researchers Stress the Need to Weigh Drugs' Risks
Prescribing Antipsychotics After 'Deliberation'
"We thought overall the drugs would show their effectiveness," Schneider says in a University of Southern California news release.
"The answer is yes, they are somewhat effective, but overall the efficacy is offset by adverse events that resulted in discontinuing the medication," Schneider continues.
"It was a surprise, in that the expert opinion which drove this study was that these drugs are particularly useful in treating these difficult symptoms," Schneider says.
"The findings here look at the time to discontinuation for the antipsychotics versus the placebo, and that time difference reflects the overall effectiveness of the medication. By that measure, the medications were not better than placebo," he says.
"The results suggest that antipsychotic drugs should be prescribed only with some deliberation," Schneider says.
Second Opinion
The journal also includes an editorial by Jason Karlawish, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania's Alzheimer's Disease Center.
The findings "suggest that these drugs have a limited, but at time necessary, role in the care of patients with Alzheimer's disease," Karlawish writes.
"They are perhaps best prescribed in systems of care that can provide the skills and expertise needed to ensure that the risks associated with the drugs are justified by the potential benefits," Karlawish continues.
The study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. The drugs were supplied by the drugs' makers.
Schneider and colleagues report various financial ties to drug companies including the drugs' makers. Karlawish reports no such financial ties.
Zyprexa is made by Eli Lilly and Company. Seroquel is made by AstraZeneca. Risperdal is made by Janssen Pharmaceutica. Lilly and AstraZeneca are WebMD sponsors.
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