BMJ 2014;349:g7337 doi: 10.1136/bmj.g7337 (Published 10 December 2014)
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Letters
LETTERS ANTIPSYCHOTICS IN DEMENTIA
Licensed indication for risperidone in dementia David Phizackerley deputy editor Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, BMJ Evidence Centre, BMA House, London WC1H 9JR, UK
When referring to the licensed indication for risperidone, Corbett and colleagues state: “In Europe, only risperidone is currently licensed for use in dementia and only for up to six weeks in patients with severe aggression, defined as causing risk or severe distress, which has not responded to other treatments.”1 However, the current summary of product characteristics is more specific. In the UK, risperidone is licensed for use in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia.2 3
Risperidone is indicated for the short term (≤6 weeks) treatment of persistent aggression in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia unresponsive to non-pharmacological approaches and when there is a risk of harm to self or others.
In their discussion with patients and carers on the potential harms and benefits of drug treatment, healthcare professionals should clearly state if the proposed use is off-label. Competing interests: DTB is owned and published by BMJ. 1 2 3
Corbett A, Burns A, Ballard C. Don’t use antipsychotics routinely to treat agitation and aggression in people with dementia. BMJ 2014;349:6420. (3 November.) Janssen-Cilag. Risperdal tablets, liquid & quicklet. Summary of product characteristics, UK. November 2013. Management of non-cognitive symptoms associated with dementia. DTB 2014;52:114-8.
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g7337 © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2014
[email protected] For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
Page 1 of 1
Letters
LETTERS ANTIPSYCHOTICS IN DEMENTIA
Licensed indication for risperidone in dementia David Phizackerley deputy editor Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, BMJ Evidence Centre, BMA House, London WC1H 9JR, UK
When referring to the licensed indication for risperidone, Corbett and colleagues state: “In Europe, only risperidone is currently licensed for use in dementia and only for up to six weeks in patients with severe aggression, defined as causing risk or severe distress, which has not responded to other treatments.”1 However, the current summary of product characteristics is more specific. In the UK, risperidone is licensed for use in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia.2 3
Risperidone is indicated for the short term (≤6 weeks) treatment of persistent aggression in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia unresponsive to non-pharmacological approaches and when there is a risk of harm to self or others.
In their discussion with patients and carers on the potential harms and benefits of drug treatment, healthcare professionals should clearly state if the proposed use is off-label. Competing interests: DTB is owned and published by BMJ. 1 2 3
Corbett A, Burns A, Ballard C. Don’t use antipsychotics routinely to treat agitation and aggression in people with dementia. BMJ 2014;349:6420. (3 November.) Janssen-Cilag. Risperdal tablets, liquid & quicklet. Summary of product characteristics, UK. November 2013. Management of non-cognitive symptoms associated with dementia. DTB 2014;52:114-8.
Cite this as: BMJ 2014;349:g7337 © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 2014
[email protected] For personal use only: See rights and reprints http://www.bmj.com/permissions
Subscribe: http://www.bmj.com/subscribe
