From Reuters:
Elderly dementia patients prescribed antipsychotic drugs are at three times the risk of a serious health problem or dying within a month of treatment, compared to those not given the drugs, Canadian researchers said on Monday.
The medications have been used by doctors to treat aggression in people who are not psychotic or schizophrenic, but there are risks for elderly dementia patients prescribed the drugs, according to Dr. Paula Rochon of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, and colleagues.
"Of residents newly admitted to a nursing home, 17 percent are started on antipsychotic drugs within 100 days of their admission," often for short periods to control delirium, delusions or aggressive behavior, Rochon wrote. ...more
Showing posts with label antipsychotics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label antipsychotics. Show all posts
Monday, May 26, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Psychiatric drugs causing weight gain: doctors
From the Vancouver Sun:
The very drugs millions of Canadians are taking to get through their day can cause dramatic weight gain, doctors are warning.
Psychiatric drug-related weight gain "is a huge problem," says Dr. David Lau, chair of the diabetes and endocrine research group at the University of Calgary and president of Obesity Canada.
"You can see patients gaining 10, 20, 30, 40 pounds," Lau says.
Not everyone taking antidepressants, mood stabilizers or newer generation antipsychotics will gain weight, he stressed. What's more, he said new antipsychotics, so-called "atypical antipsychotics" have been "tremendous in terms of bringing back the functionality of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and depression." ...more
The very drugs millions of Canadians are taking to get through their day can cause dramatic weight gain, doctors are warning.
Psychiatric drug-related weight gain "is a huge problem," says Dr. David Lau, chair of the diabetes and endocrine research group at the University of Calgary and president of Obesity Canada.
"You can see patients gaining 10, 20, 30, 40 pounds," Lau says.
Not everyone taking antidepressants, mood stabilizers or newer generation antipsychotics will gain weight, he stressed. What's more, he said new antipsychotics, so-called "atypical antipsychotics" have been "tremendous in terms of bringing back the functionality of people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and depression." ...more
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Health Canada defends drug alert system
From CBC News:
Despite evidence indicating seniors are being prescribed potentially dangerous drugs, Health Canada says it can't do anything more to make its warnings about these medications more effective.
The department is responding to a CBC News investigation in December revealing that doctors continue to prescribe anti-psychotic drugs to seniors, despite Health Canada warnings in 2005 that the drugs increased the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
CBC analyzed sales data for the drugs and found that prescriptions increased from seven to 40 per cent for a 24-month period after the warnings. ...more
Despite evidence indicating seniors are being prescribed potentially dangerous drugs, Health Canada says it can't do anything more to make its warnings about these medications more effective.
The department is responding to a CBC News investigation in December revealing that doctors continue to prescribe anti-psychotic drugs to seniors, despite Health Canada warnings in 2005 that the drugs increased the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
CBC analyzed sales data for the drugs and found that prescriptions increased from seven to 40 per cent for a 24-month period after the warnings. ...more
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Dangerous drugs continue to be prescribed to seniors: CBC report
From CBC News:
Doctors are continuing to prescribe drugs dangerous to seniors in spite of government warnings, a CBC News investigation reveals.
More than two years ago, CBC News first reported that more than a million seniors were prescribed atypical antipsychotics. Atypical antipsychotics are specific kinds of antipsychotic drugs. They are considered by many experts to be ineffective or even dangerous for elderly patients.
Health Canada followed up with warnings pointing to the drugs' side effects — including a 60 per cent greater risk of death in seniors who were taking the drugs than in patients taking placebos — gleaned from 13 scientific studies. It also warned that elderly patients taking atypical antipsychotics were almost twice as likely to die from side effects such as heart failure. ...more
Doctors are continuing to prescribe drugs dangerous to seniors in spite of government warnings, a CBC News investigation reveals.
More than two years ago, CBC News first reported that more than a million seniors were prescribed atypical antipsychotics. Atypical antipsychotics are specific kinds of antipsychotic drugs. They are considered by many experts to be ineffective or even dangerous for elderly patients.
Health Canada followed up with warnings pointing to the drugs' side effects — including a 60 per cent greater risk of death in seniors who were taking the drugs than in patients taking placebos — gleaned from 13 scientific studies. It also warned that elderly patients taking atypical antipsychotics were almost twice as likely to die from side effects such as heart failure. ...more
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
