July 28, 2009 – A class of drugs used to treat dementia symptoms and other mental ailments in the elderly may be dangerous for those with diabetes.
A new study shows that older people with diabetes are more likely to be hospitalized for hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels) after beginning treatment with antipsychotic drugs.
Researchers say antipsychotic drugs are being increasingly prescribed to treat dementia and other behavioral problems in the elderly.
These drugs are known to carry a number of risks, including an increased risk of stroke, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. There have also been some reports of hyperglycemia after beginning therapy with antipsychotics, but researchers say few studies have examined these risks in older people as well as in elderly with pre-existing diabetes.