Neuroleptic drugs in dementia: benefits and harm.
Neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drugs are often used to treat psychiatric symptoms frequently seen in dementia, but their use is controversial. We present a new meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of these drugs for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease, and discuss the more limited evidence for their potential benefits in other dementias. We recommend that these treatments be limited to the short-term treatment of psychiatric symptoms associated with serious distress or risk.
Ballard
Clive
C
Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. clive.ballard@kcl.ac.uk
Howard
Robert
R
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005334:Fever / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents