Too Many People With Dementia Prescribed Potentially Inappropriate Drugs, Study Finds

A study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry found older adults diagnosed with dementia are often prescribed potentially inappropriate medications, reports Medical Xpress . The researchers examined more than 16,500 people who received an International Resident Assessment-Home Care assessment in 2015. About 13 percent were diagnosed with dementia, and 67 percent in that group were prescribed potentially inappropriate medications. In addition, 40 percent of those diagnosed with dementia were prescribed anticholinergic medications, which could be potentially inappropriate for that cohort. "The prescription of anticholinergic medications is associated with a higher risk of negative outcomes including risk of falls, delirium, worsening cognitive function, and increased mortality," said the researchers. "The findings of the study indicate that the quality of prescribing needs to be improved. It is also imperative that medications prescribed to older adults with dementia, especially medications that have anticholinergic side effects, are reviewed regularly by medical professionals to ensure safe prescribing."