Antipsychotics May be Risky for Elderly Diabetic Patients
July 31st, 2009 meg
Antipsychotic drugs are being increasingly prescribed to treat dementia and other behavioral problems in the elderly.
However, a new study shows that older people with diabetes are more likely to be hospitalized for hyperglycemia after beginning treatment with antipsychotic drugs.
The drugs are also known to carry a number of risks, including an increased risk of stroke, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms.
Researchers say the study suggests that the start of antipsychotic therapy is a critical period in which older adults are particularly vulnerable to hyperglycemia.
