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Neuroleptics Cause Death
Neuroleptics being overprescribed are causing many early deaths for
those who have already spent their entire lives losing the battle
against chemical contamination. Alzheimer's disease and treatment of
patients may seem too troublesome for those whose hearts are buried deep
in the pathocracy they worship in the ways doctors lie to patients.
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Alzheimer's sufferers dying from drug 'scandal'
30 March 2007 - By Polly Curtis - guardian.co.uk
· Sedatives blamed for thousands of deaths
· Campaigners point to lack of cash for trained staff
A class of drugs widely prescribed for people suffering from dementia
is leading to the premature deaths of thousands of patients every
year, according to research published today. Campaigners branded the
continued use of the sedatives, called neuroleptics, a national
scandal after a five-year study revealed that people with Alzheimer's
disease and other forms of dementia are twice as likely to die if they
are prescribed them.
Neuroleptics are widely prescribed to help control symptoms of
Alzheimer's and dementia including agitation, hallucinations and
erratic behaviour, despite only being licensed for use in people
suffering from schizophrenia. The research suggests they are of little
benefit to patients with milder symptoms, greatly increase their risk
of dying prematurely, and that 45% of Alzheimer's patients in care
homes are prescribed a neuroleptic drug.
A group of 165 Alzheimer's patients were randomly assigned to take one
of three types of neuroleptic drugs, or a placebo. After two years 45%
of those who took the real drugs had died compared with 22% who were
given the placebo.
The King's College London researchers who undertook the project,
funded by the Alzheimer's Research Trust, found that after three years
65% of those on the drugs had died compared with 38% of those on
placebos. After 42 months 75% of those on the drugs had died compared
with 60% on the placebo. On average patients who were on the drugs
died six months earlier.
Clive Ballard, professor of age-related disorders at King's and the
lead researcher, said that not only were people more likely to die but
they also suffered severe side-effects including stroke,
chest
infections and falls.
"If this was a massive increase in mortality in children there would
be an outcry. Older people aren't seen as a priority. These sedatives
are being used because the services can't cope with people who are in
a distressed state. There are ways to avoid them but it would involve
training of staff, which is costly."
In 2004 the medicines watchdog issued a warning that two types of neuroleptics, olanzapine and risperidone, should not be given to
Alzheimer's patients because of an increased risk of stroke and death.
Despite this, in 2005 the Alzheimer's Society presented evidence that
100,000 people suffering from dementia were being prescribed a neuroleptic drug.
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the society, said: "Neuroleptics have
been used as a dangerous fix for 'challenging behaviour' in people
with dementia for too long. They are not licensed for use
among people with dementia, but continue to be hugely
over-prescribed. It is a national scandal that people are being
sedated in this way ... These drugs must be a last resort, only used
when all other methods have failed to alleviate the most distressing
symptoms of dementia."
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust,
said: "These results are deeply troubling and highlight the urgent
need to develop better treatments."
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA),
which is responsible for the safety of medications, said
neuroleptics were not licensed for use to treat dementia.
"The MHRA continues to monitor the unlicensed
use of neuroleptics in the treatment of patients with
Alzheimer's disease and will carefully review this new study to see
what further action may be necessary."
Professor Mayur Lakhani, chairman of the Royal College of General
Practitioners, said: "We would like to reassure patients, relatives
and carers that neuroleptic drugs are not
routinely prescribed to patients with dementia, and are used
only as a last resort when patients suffer from severe episodes." |
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Comment: How
does [not routinely] equal 100,000 dead? This last paragraph quoting
a chairman is a perfect example of the ways doctors lie to patients.
They are not licensed for use, that seems plain and simple, and
shows a violation of law and the integrity of the patient. |
References:
Article: Discrimination
against dementia patients
Alzheimer's Disease - University of Maryland Medical Center
Amalgam / Mercury Filling Toxicity
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