Researchers at Queen's University Belfast analyzed medication trends for 28,781 dementia patients in Northern Ireland from 2012 to 2020. Half of the patients died during the nine-year follow-up.

Antidepressants were prescribed to 59.2% of those who died. Anti-anxiety medications went to 44.8% of them.

The study identified a slight increase in death risk for patients on antidepressants. It found a strong increase for those on anti-anxiety drugs.

Dr Catherine Sinnamon, lead author and postgraduate student in the School of Pharmacy, noted that people with dementia often receive multiple prescriptions for other conditions. She stated that some of these medicines may not suit them and that the research seeks better treatment options.

Dr Heather Barry, principal investigator, stressed the need for regular reviews of medications in dementia patients by GPs or pharmacists to confirm ongoing suitability.

The work came from the School of Pharmacy and Centre for Public Health. Staff at the Honest Broker Service within the Business Services Organisation supported it, with funding from the BSO and Department of Health.