-December 1, 2005
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine , older antipsychotics are just as dangerous as atypical antipsychotics for elderly patients, and should not be prescribed without careful weighing of side effect risks. Concern over the safety of antipsychotic medications-used to treat schizophrenia, dementia, and related conditions-peaked in 2004 when studies found newer drugs like Zyprexa and Risperdal significantly increased the risk of stroke and death in elderly patients with dementia. In light of these findings, the FDA ordered the addition of “black box” warnings to all atypical antipsychotics.
The FDA has yet to add such a warning label to older antipsychotic drugs, saying more clinical evidence is necessary to determine the risks associated with these medications. Researchers from Harvard and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both in Boston, conducted a study to measure the risks of traditional antipsychotic medications. This study was motivated, in part, by concern over the lack of sufficient safety information for a class of drugs becoming more and more popular as an alternative to dangerous atypical agents.
Dr. Philip Wang and his colleagues conducted a retrospective cohort study involving nearly 23,000 participants over the age of 65 to determine the short-term safety of older antipsychotics compared to their newer counterparts. The traditional antipsychotics used in the study included Haldol and Thorazine, while the atypical medications included Abilify and Clozaril. According to the study, people taking the older medications were at a 37 percent increased risk of stroke or death compared to those taking newer medications.
While older antipsychotics do not carry a black box warning, this study indicates these drugs are just as dangerous- if not more dangerous- than atypical antipsychotics. With respect to older patients trading atypical agents for older medications, Dr. Wang cautions, “If they’re switching because they think there’s no risk because the FDA didn’t include older drugs in the advisory, they that’s not a good switch. If they’re going to switch, they should be fully informed.”
Many drugs which are widely prescribed to elderly patients have not been adequately studied in this patient population. Atypical and traditional antipsychotics are widely prescribed to older people who suffer from dementia, delirium, agitation, psychosis, and related conditions, yet these drugs significantly increase their risk of stroke and death. Before beginning any new medication, it is important to speak with a qualified medical professional about the benefits and risks. If you or a loved one has been injured while taking one of these antipsychotic medications, you may wish to contact an attorney who can help protect your interests.
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