Researchers suspect
people may breathe saliva or food into their lungs due to fatigue from the
drugs
Alzheimer's patients
given sedatives such as Valium or Xanax may have an increased risk for
pneumonia, a new study warns.
People with Alzheimer's
disease are often given these drugs, called benzodiazepines, over the long
term, the researchers said.
Examples of
benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam
(Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
"An increased risk
of pneumonia is an important finding to consider in treatment of patients with
Alzheimer disease. Pneumonia often leads to admission to hospital, and patients
with dementia are at increased risk of death related to pneumonia," Dr.
Heidi Taipale, of Kuopio Research Center of Geriatric Care at the University of
Eastern Finland, and co-authors wrote.
For the study, the
researchers reviewed data from nearly 50,000 Alzheimer's patients in Finland.
The patients' average age was 80 and about two-thirds were women.
The study found that
people with Alzheimer's who took benzodiazepines were 30 percent more likely to
develop pneumonia than those who weren't given the sedatives.
The risk of pneumonia
was highest in the first 30 days after starting the drugs, the findings showed.
The researchers said
their findings are consistent with previous studies.
Because benzodiazepines
are sedating, it's possible that people taking them may breathe saliva or food
into the lungs, increasing the risk of pneumonia, the study authors suggested.
Dr Heidi Taipale's team
said the benefits and risks of these drugs -- including pneumonia -- need to be
carefully considered before giving them to someone with Alzheimer's disease.
The study was published
April 10 in the CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).
The study is "a
good reminder to clinicians to 'first do no harm' when prescribing these drugs
for frail older women and men with dementia. Non-drug "approaches should
be the starting point when managing neuropsychiatric symptoms in this patient
population, which should help to limit inappropriate use of these drugs,"
the editorial authors said.
(Source: HealthDay News, 10 April 10 2017)
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