While many believe ADHD medications are overprescribed for children, it is also important to consider other patient populations where medications may be too often or unnecessarily given, in addition to potentially putting patients at increased risk of experiencing adverse events. For example, the widespread use of anti-psychotics among the elderly, particularly in those with dementia, has been receiving increasing attention and is starting to be questioned.
The article below addresses this issue in Canada, and offers some intriguing statistics about the numbers of dementia patients who are being treated with anti-psychotic drugs, primarily to reduce aggressive behaviours and agitation, as well as the number that actually seem to improve on the medication. The article also delves into the factors that contribute to the reliance on these medications, particularly in long-term care facilities, and the side effects of anti-psychotics, in addition to suggesting some non-pharmacological alternatives that may be more safe and effective.
"About 60 per cent of long-term care residents have dementia and half of those exhibit aggressive behaviour or agitation, Wiens says. But studies show fewer than one in five actually improves on anti-psychotic drugs."
"Overprescribed? Anti-psychotic drugs used too commonly on dementia patients, some say" by Don Butler (Ottawa Citizen)
The article below addresses this issue in Canada, and offers some intriguing statistics about the numbers of dementia patients who are being treated with anti-psychotic drugs, primarily to reduce aggressive behaviours and agitation, as well as the number that actually seem to improve on the medication. The article also delves into the factors that contribute to the reliance on these medications, particularly in long-term care facilities, and the side effects of anti-psychotics, in addition to suggesting some non-pharmacological alternatives that may be more safe and effective.
"About 60 per cent of long-term care residents have dementia and half of those exhibit aggressive behaviour or agitation, Wiens says. But studies show fewer than one in five actually improves on anti-psychotic drugs."
"Overprescribed? Anti-psychotic drugs used too commonly on dementia patients, some say" by Don Butler (Ottawa Citizen)
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