Antipsychotic Use In Elderly Tied to Increased Hospitalization Risk

Researchers in Texas have found that elderly people taking antipsychotics need to be monitored closely because of an increased risk of hospitalization. This is especially important when the users have just started taking the medication.

The researchers found that people taking first-generation antipsychotics, such as Haldol, had a 21.3 percent rate of hospitalization during the first 180 days of taking the medication. Users of second-generation antipsychotics, such as Seroquel, had a 30.5 percent rate of hospitalization.

In general, the researchers noted that the use of antipsychotics lasting longer than 20 days is associated with a increased risk of all-cause hospitalization.

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