Risperdal, other drugs not effective at treating aggression, study finds
A new study has revealed that antipsychotic drugs such as Risperdal, Seroquel or Zyprexa may be ineffective at treating the symptoms of aggression. The authors of the study, which was published in the British journal The Lancet, say that based on its findings, doctors may wish to re-evaluate how they prescribed these drugs to patients.
Researchers in the study gave two antipsychotic drugs, Risperdal and Haldol, to a group of lower I.Q. patients who suffered from aggression. In comparing the group’s reaction to the drugs with another group that was given a placebo, scientists found that the placebo patients showed fewer signs of aggression than those who were given the actual medication.
Dr. Peter Tyrer, the lead researcher in the study, said that he sees no reason to believe that other antipsychotic drugs, including Zyprexa or Seroqul, would be more effective at treating aggression than those studied by his team. He said that the results of the study may prompt authorities in Britain to review the use of antipsychotic drugs for treating patients with aggression.
Some antipsychotic drugs have been linked to serious side effects, including rapid weight gain and tremors. But despite the risk of side effects, many doctors continue to prescribe them to patients for uses that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or other health organizations.