A new study led by University College London (UCL) suggests that thousands of people with dementia are prescribed antipsychotic medications for longer durations and at higher doses than current clinical guidelines recommend.
The research, which forms part of the SPCR-funded STOP-THEM Project, analysed primary care data from nearly 10,000 patients aged 60-85 in England. It found that around half of those started on antipsychotics remained on treatment for more than seven months, more than double the maximum recommended period of one to three months under NICE guidelines.
Other key findings:
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Nearly 18% of patients were started on doses higher than the minimum effective amount.
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Almost a third maintained moderate or high doses throughout the first year of treatment.
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Over half of those who stopped antipsychotics later restarted treatment, though typically for shorter durations than their initial course.
Researchers are urging stronger oversight of prescribing practices. Suggested measures include more regular medication reviews for people with dementia, better decision-support tools for clinicians, and using routine data to monitor and audit prescribing patterns via health authorities.
Read the full article here: “UK dementia patients may be taking antipsychotics for too long,” UCL News, 16 September 2025.
Further Links:
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Antipsychotic prescriptions in people with dementia in primary care: a cohort study investigating adherence of dose and duration to UK clinical guidelines Lancet Psychiatry Volume 12, Issue 10. p758-767 October 2025.
- SPCR Project 674: AntipSychotic discontinuation and restarT and its association with cardiOvascular events and all-cause mortality in PatienTs witH dEMentia (STOP-THEM) Principal Investigator: Juan Carlos Bazo Alvarez.