The Cochrane Library reports that “many older people with Alzheimer’s dementia and NPS (neuropsychiatric symptoms) can be withdrawn from chronic antipsychotic medication without detrimental effects on their behavior… the results of this review suggest that discontinuation programmes could be incorporated into routine practice. However, two studies of people whose agitation or psychosis had previously responded well to antipsychotic treatment found an increased risk of relapse or shorter time to relapse after discontinuation.”
Declercq T, Petrovic M, Azermai M, Vander Stichele R, De Sutter AIM, van Driel ML, Christiaens T. Withdrawal versus continuation of chronic antipsychotic drugs for behavioural and psychological symptoms in older people with dementia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD007726. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007726.pub2.
Of further interest;
New evidence shows older adults with dementia can be taken off antipsychotic medications (News Medical)
Most elderly with dementia can successfully be taken off `harmful` antipsychotic drugs (ZeeNews)
Reduce Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Elderly with Dementia (NewsWise)
