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Psychosis drugs 'linked to stroke risk'

29/08/2008

Those taking antipsychotic drugs face a substantially increased risk of suffering a stroke, a study published today claims.

Research published on the bmj.com website concludes that psychosis sufferers taking all types of antipsychotic drugs are 1.7 times more likely to have a stroke.

It drew the conclusions from 6,790 patients who had had at least one recorded stroke and taken antipsychotic drugs between January 1988 and the end of 2002.

Those suffering dementia, a condition which affects one in three people over 65, are 3.5 times more likely to have a stroke, the study suggests.

The researchers, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, conclude: "We reaffirm 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."

Today's report backs the 2004 decision of Britain's committee on safety in medicines to end the availability of antipsychotic drugs for those suffering dementia, despite there being no clinical evidence at the time to back up the move.

The Alzheimer's Society, which prefers extra spending on specialist carers' training, responded by describing the over-prescription of antipsychotics as a "serious breach of human rights".

But chief executive Neil Hunt says the government has a big opportunity to change existing policy later this year. The national dementia strategy is due to be launched this autumn.