Anti-psychotics overused for dementia

LONDON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Anti-psychotic drugs contribute to the deaths of hundreds of dementia patients each year, a British study found.

Researchers found about 180,000 people with dementia are prescribed anti-psychotic medications every year in Britain, the BBC said. This includes people in hospitals, nursing homes and their own homes.

The drugs, developed to help schizophrenics, are used to control aggressive behavior.

Sube Banerjee of King's College London, who headed the review, said only about 36,000 patients benefit from the drugs. He recommended they be given for no more than three months at a time.

In at least 1,800 cases, the drugs contribute to deaths, Banerjee said.

The government has said steps will be taken to reduce the number of prescriptions given for the drugs. They include giving patients other forms of treatment like counseling, more training for healthcare workers, information sessions for family members and stricter controls on prescriptions.

A new national dementia director will be named to monitor how the drugs are used.