(January 8, 2009 - Insidermedicine) Using antipsychotic medication in those with Alzheimer's disease may shorten patients' lives, according to research published in The Lancet Neurology.

Here is some information about antipsychotic medication:

•    Typically, antipsychotic medication is used for severe psychiatric disturbances.

•    Those with Alzheimer's disease may occasionally exhibit symptoms similar to those of people with schizophrenia.

•    As a result, antipsychotic medication has been used in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

British researchers randomly assigned over 100 patients with Alzheimer's disease who were taking antipsychotic medication to continue on this medication or switch to placebo.

After a year, 30% of those taking antipsychotics had died, compared with 22% of those on placebo. After three years, 70% of those on antipsychotic medication had died, compared with 41% of those on placebo. Overall, the chance of dying was 42% lower among those taking a placebo.

Today's research suggests that doctors should look for safer ways of treating some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.