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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by med_empowered on February 22, 2005, at 0:58:57
Health - HealthDay
Nursing Home Drug May Speed Alzheimer'sThu Feb 17,11:47 PM ET Health - HealthDay
THURSDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- The antipsychotic drug quetiapine, commonly used to treat agitation and other symptoms in people with Alzheimer's living in nursing homes, greatly speeds up cognitive decline, says a study published online in the British Medical Journal.
Researchers tracked 93 dementia patients for six months. Some people were given quetiapine (brand name Seroquel), some took a placebo and others were given another antipsychotic drug called rivastigmine (Exelon).
Those who were given the placebo showed little change. But the people who took quetiapine suffered twice the rate of cognitive decline -- memory and other higher brain functions -- as those who took the placebo. People who took rivastigmine experienced little or no worsening of their symptoms.
This finding is important, the study authors noted, because quetiapine has been considered one of the safer antipsychotic drugs. The study highlights concerns about quetiapine and suggests that it is not a viable alternative to two other antipsychotic drugs used to treat agitation in people with dementia -- risperidone and olanzapine, which may increase stroke risk.
Posted by banga on February 22, 2005, at 8:00:04
In reply to Seroquel Accelerates Alzheimer's Problems, posted by med_empowered on February 22, 2005, at 0:58:57
It doesn't say whether this is believed to be permanent or not--it doesn't sound like they conducted a long-term follow-up so it is hard to understand the import of this. Is there a link to the full study article?
Posted by linkadge on February 22, 2005, at 10:18:27
In reply to Re: Seroquel Accelerates Alzheimer's Problems, posted by banga on February 22, 2005, at 8:00:04
I think its pathetic the way antipsychotics are fed to our seniors to shut them up. Especially when many of their complaints are valid, and are directly due to understaff/neglect.
I worked in a Retirement home here in canada, and it sickened me the way AP's were administered.
Dopaminergic neurons are greatly lost in later life, which impedes the ability to experience pleasure. I can only imagine what blocking what precious few they have left would do.
Perhaps they should administer morhpine as a serenic.
Linkadge
Posted by banga on February 22, 2005, at 11:09:27
In reply to Re: Seroquel Accelerates Alzheimer's Problems, posted by linkadge on February 22, 2005, at 10:18:27
Thats what I was wondering too---they knew there may be cognitive effects if they were testing for it, if they administered the drug knowing it may have negative effects I don't understand how a research subject protection committee could have allowed it in the first place. It is scary that it feels like children are protected to the max and would never be in such a trial, yet older people dont get such protection??
I worked with the elderly in a hospital setting and did testing to help people understand whether their memory difficulties are alzheimers or some other condition, so we could understand how best to help them with getting along in their daily life. I definitely saw persons overmedicated, not only with neuroleptics but meds in general--a whole list for each person, at large amounts (not factoring in a slowed metabolism for most of the elderly of the medications). I often had to say that I cannot rule out cognitive difficulties due to medications.
But I can imagine what you saw was much more horrific. I have seen similar things at a hospital though--patients given meds in quantities, just to have them not bother the staff. At this particular instance I had the luck to work primarily with people either still independent, or living under the care of a loved one who helped them enjoy life despite difficulties with memory, consequences of stroke, etc.
Posted by linkadge on February 22, 2005, at 11:38:39
In reply to Re: Seroquel Accelerates Alzheimer's Problems » linkadge, posted by banga on February 22, 2005, at 11:09:27
Well this is it.
The most sickening thing I saw (I should've reported it), was when one elderly lady was constantly complaining of needing water.
They gave her water, but she was still thirsty. This lady definately had something medically wrong with her.
Eventually they just gave her a long acting olanzapine injection, which made her quiet, but God only knows the suffering that lingered.
And dispite the drug companies arduent battles to prove that their antiscitsophrenic meds do not harm cognition, I take this with the finest grain of salt imaginable.My breif experinece with risperdal, left me fearing getting older, and what might be thrown at me when I don't have all my faculties.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2005, at 17:09:02
In reply to Re: Seroquel Accelerates Alzheimer's Problems, posted by linkadge on February 22, 2005, at 11:38:39
I've seen the same thing in re to the elderly. Haldol given to keep them quiet until they slept for 3 days, then when they woke up more of the same. They really have no rights, and a lot of them don't have family, or if they do they don't care so it's sad. Fondly, Phillipa
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