A drug used to treat agitation in people with dementia is no more effective than a placebo, and might even increase mortality, according to a new study.
The research, led by the University of Plymouth and published in The Lancet, has shown that antidepressant mirtazapine offered no improvement in agitation for people with dementia - and was possibly more likely to be associated with mortality than no intervention at all.
Dr Richard Oakley, Head of Research at Alzheimer's Society said:
"Unnecessary prescribing of antipsychotics to people with dementia is dangerous and associated with a higher risk of death, which is why we've been campaigning hard to reduce levels since the late 90s, saving tens of thousands of lives. The gold star treatments for agitation don't involve drugs and are tailored to the person - like arts and crafts or movement to music. In recent years antidepressants - like mirtazapine - have been considered a fallback if non-drug approaches don't work.
"While only a small study, these results suggest a rethink is needed. Not only was the drug ineffective at reducing agitation, it was associated with more deaths, suggesting mirtazapine should be avoided in Alzheimer's - and research carried out to understand its effects in other types of dementia."
The full study, entitled Study of mirtazapine for agitated behaviours in dementia (SYMBAD): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, is available to view in The Lancet. View the study.
The study was co-authored by:
- University of East Anglia
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School
- LSE
- University of Exeter
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust
- University of Manchester
- UCL
- Trinity College Dublin
- Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Alzheimer's Society Research Network
- University of Cambridge
- Cambridge and Peterborough Foundation Trust
- Newcastle University
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