A routine tablet can sometimes become part of everyday life for families caring for someone with dementia. When agitation, confusion, or aggressive behaviour escalates, doctors may turn to medication to help calm distressing symptoms and restore some stability.
But new research suggests that one commonly prescribed medicine for these situations may carry risks that were not fully understood until now.
A large British study is now prompting doctors to rethink how and when this treatment should be used.
What the study found
Researchers from Brunel University of London analyzed health records from more than 165,000 people diagnosed with dementia across the UK. The study used anonymised NHS data collected between 2004 and 2023.
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The researchers compared patients who were prescribed the antipsychotic medicine with similar patients who were not taking it.
Their findings showed that stroke risk increased among patients using the medicine, even in those who had no previous history of stroke or heart disease.
Key findings from the research included:
- Data from more than 165,000 dementia patients
- Stroke risk was higher among patients using the medicine
- Increased risk appeared across multiple patient groups
The results were published in The British Journal of Psychiatry.
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Why doctors still use it
Around half of people living with dementia experience severe agitation at some point during the illness. These symptoms can create intense stress for patients, caregivers, and care home staff.
Because there are very few approved drug treatments for these behaviours, doctors sometimes prescribe this medicine when other approaches fail.
In the UK, it remains the only antipsychotic officially licensed for short-term use in severe agitation linked to dementia.
What it means going forward
The findings highlight the difficult balance doctors face when treating complex dementia symptoms.
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Medication may help manage distress, but it also requires careful consideration of possible side effects.
Researchers say the results could help guide future treatment guidelines and encourage closer monitoring of patients who receive the medicine.
Sources: Science Daily and Cambridge
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