Antipsychotic Drugs Boost Stroke Risk

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The study authors did not look at the potential mechanisms associated with antipsychotics that cause stroke, or why the risk appears higher with atypical antipsychotics.

"We believe that the risks associated with antipsychotic use in patients with dementia generally outweigh the potential benefits, and, in this patient group, use of antipsychotic drugs should be avoided wherever possible," Douglas said. "For other patients, careful consideration must be given to the likely individual risks and benefits of any prescribing decision."

The findings were published online Aug. 29 in the British Medical Journal.

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Dr. Sam Gandy is associate director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, and chairman of the Alzheimer's Association's national medical and scientific advisory council. He said the new study addresses an "important topic and elevates the concern about risks of antipsychotics to a whole new level. The FDA [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] might investigate whether availability limitations or warning labeling should be imposed.

More information

To learn more about antipsychotics, visit the National Institute of Mental Health.

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