Friday, July 15, 2011

Antipsychotics Used for Parkinson's Despite Warning

From Web MD:

Doctors continue to prescribe antipsychotic drugs to their patients with Parkinson's disease and psychosis, despite "black box" warnings from the FDA linking them to increased risk of death among patients with dementia, a study shows. A black box warning is the strongest drug warning issued by the FDA.



The study is published in the Archives of Neurology.

The black box warning for antipsychotics says the drugs are associated with an increased risk of death for those with dementia, which is common among people diagnosed with Parkinson's. Some commonly prescribed antipsychotics also worsen symptoms of Parkinson's.

http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/news/20110711/antipsychotics-used-for-parkinsons-despite-warnings