Analgesics with a significantly higher risk of side effects

Can badgesics in people with dementia cause serious side effects?

Taking painkillers can be dangerous in people with dementia. The researchers found that painkillers given regularly to patients with dementia tripled the likelihood of harmful side effects and personality changes.

A team of researchers from the University of Exeter, King's College London and the University of Bergen Patients with dementia are developing a significantly increased risk of dementia. harmful side effects when taking certain pain relievers. Doctors published the results of their study at this year's International Conference of the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago in 2018.

More than half of the subjects developed side effects

More than half of the study participants suffered from harmful side effects when taking D & D. # 39; badgesics. Many subjects have been confused and sedated by drugs, experts say.

Pain relievers are widely used in retirement homes

Many residents of retirement homes depend on the use of painkillers for health reasons. Up to 40 percent of dementia patients living in retirement homes receive opioids as badgesics, such as buprenorphine. However, researchers have now found that the use of such painkillers harms the patient more than good.

Pain killers harm people with dementia

The use of these painkillers in people with dementia should be considered urgently. At the present time, taking some painkillers is hurting many people, although medications are actually taken to relieve their pain, says study author Clive Ballard. University of Exeter Medical School [1965011] The current study examined physicians 162 patients who suffered from dementia. Half of these participants received painkillers, the other half received only one placebo. The researchers were then able to determine in their badessment that opioid-badgesic users were increasingly experiencing a variety of side effects. The most common side effects include personality changes and confusion. In comparison, only 13.3% of the control group showed similar effects. In response to the findings, an urgent review of the use of these drugs is needed to avoid unnecessary harm and death, argues the author of the Ballard study in a press release

. Pain is often misdiagnosed

About half of people with dementia, those who live in nursing homes have clinically significant pain, experts speculate. Previous research has already found that in people with dementia, pain is often misdiagnosed and poorly managed, affecting the quality of life of those affected.

More research is needed

Pain is a symptom of great distress in those affected. and it is very important that people with dementia are helped and treated properly, say the doctors. There is an urgent need for more research in this area. Appropriate medications should be given to patients in the correct dosage, experts require.