Alzheimer's Drug Speeds Up Mental Decline

Friday.

According to a report in the British Medical Journal, Quetiapine (sold as Seroquel) and rivastigmine (Exelon) are prescribed to nearly half the patients with dementia in residential homes in Britain as a treatment for agitation, often for long periods. The trial involving people with dementia living in care in Newcastle suggests that the drugs are ineffective and, in the case of quetiapine, actually accelerate the progress of the disease. Those given quetiapine showed a much more rapid decline in mental capacities.

The report says that the drug should not be used to treat such patients. "Neither quetiapine nor rivastigmine are effective in the treatment of agitation in people with dementia in institutional care. Compared with placebo, quetiapine is associated with significantly greater cognitive decline."

AstraZeneca's Seroquel site lists the following possible side effects - elevated blood sugar and diabetes, excessive thirst, increased urination, overeating, or weakness, NMS or neuroleptic malignant syndrome characterized by muscle rigidity and fever, tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable movements), drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, weakness, abdominal pain, sudden drop in blood pressure when standing, sore throat, abnormal liver tests, upset stomach, and weight gain.

Just what you need if you're an Alzheimer's sufferer. The Alzheimer's Society estimates that there are currently over 750,000 people in the UK with dementia.

The full report is available here.