Benzodiazepines Raise Risk of Stroke in People With Alzheimer’s
The use of benzodiazepines and related drugs was associated with an increased risk of stroke in older adults with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study published online in International Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Researchers came to the finding after examining data on 40,050 patients in Finland who were newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease between 2005 and 2011. Patients with a previous stroke were not included in the sample.
“The aim of our study,” researchers explained, “was to investigate the risk of any, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke associated with incident benzodiazepine and related drug use among community-dwelling individuals with Alzheimer's disease.”
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During follow-up, 21.9% of the patients began using benzodiazepines or similar medications. Such medication use, researchers found, was linked with an increased risk of any stroke as well as ischemic stroke. An association between benzodiazepines and hemorrhagic stroke was identified, but it did not reach significance.
“Z-drug use,” researchers added, “was associated with a similar risk as benzodiazepine use.”
—Jolynn Tumolo
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