“Antipsychotic meds worsen behavior, study shows; MDs defend, call for alternatives”

“Antipsychotic meds worsen behavior, study shows; MDs defend, call for alternatives,” by Zee Johnson, McKnights LTC News

“A new study of nearly 500,000 nursing home residents who were prescribed antipsychotic medications has found an increase in negative behaviors compared to those who were not given such drugs. The analysis captured results over a 22-year span — from 2000 to 2022 — and found that about 68% of residents taking antipsychotics had more behavior challenges in check-ups, including a higher percentage of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia (72.2% vs 51.7%); cognitive impairment (26.5% vs 15.2%); symptoms of depression (26.9% vs 17.6%) and frailty (24.0% vs 19.8%). … The study reignites the conversation around medication deprescribing, which has been at the forefront of directives aimed at improving resident care in recent years.”

LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform:

First, do no harm.