Dementia sufferers on too much medication

Many drugs can be safely discontinued, says study

- Hanna Geissler

MANY people with dementia are taking too many medications, according to experts who are calling for greater “deprescribing”.

A review by the University of Southampton found some drugs such as anti-psychotics were being overused and could often be safely discontinued.

Study leader, Dr Kinda Ibrahim, said: “Everyone over the age of 65 who is taking multiple medications should, according to national guidelines, have an annual review of their prescriptions, but there is lots of variation across the UK in how this happens.