Antipsychotic use in older adults with dementia is associated with an increased risk for various health problems, including stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, pneumonia, fracture, acute kidney injury, and more compared to nonuse. The risks are higher in the first week of treatment and highest within the first 3 months. The study emphasized the need for caution when prescribing antipsychotics for psychological symptoms of dementia. The findings call for a reevaluation of antipsychotic use in dementia care, highlighting the importance of weighing the potential benefits against serious harms. Initiating antipsychotics in people with dementia should only be done under specialist supervision.
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Antipsychotics for Dementia Pose Wide-Ranging Health Risks
