Two major studies presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Chicago have highlighted the dangers of powerful drugs commonly prescribed to dementia patients. Researchers from leading UK universities, including Exeter, East Anglia, Newcastle, Aston, King's College London, and University College London, found that z-drugs and buprenorphine significantly increase the risk of fractures, death, and neurological problems.
The first study, involving 4,500 dementia patients, revealed that hypnotic sedatives known as z-drugs—such as zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon—raised the risk of bone fractures by 40% and the risk of death by 34%. These medications, taken by an estimated 80,000 dementia patients in Britain, are used to treat sleep problems and anxiety, common issues among dementia sufferers.
A second study of 162 patients found that buprenorphine, an opioid painkiller taken by around 120,000 dementia patients in the UK, tripled the risk of psychotic and neurological problems, including personality changes, confusion, and sedation. The drug also reduced daytime activity by 13% within a week, a major risk factor for a group already largely confined indoors. Researchers believe buprenorphine may also increase the risk of death, though the sample size was too small to confirm this definitively.
Professor Clive Ballard of Exeter University, involved in both studies, called for non-drug solutions. 'Obviously the easiest thing is to give people a pill. But other things could work – maybe not putting people to bed so early will help them sleep, making sure they are active during the day, dealing with any anxieties,' he said. The findings add to concerns about the overuse of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines in care homes, often used as a 'chemical cosh' to manage difficult behaviour.
