Fears over ‘opioid’ painkillers given to dementia sufferers
OPIOID painkillers are harming dementia sufferers, says research.
After paracetamol, the drugs are seen as the next line of treatment and are prescribed to as many as 40 per cent of patients in care homes who are in pain.
But researchers from the University of Exeter, King’s College, London, and the University of Bergen in Norway, have found a significant increase in harmful side effects related to their use.
Opioids reproduce the painkilling effects of morphine, but have side effects as well as creating a risk of addiction.
A trial involving 162 patients in 47 Norwegian care homes with advanced dementia and significant depression found a marked rise in personality changes after they took the drugs.
In those who were given version called buprenorphine a – which is approved by the NHS in England – harmful side effects more than tripled.
Those taking the drug became significantly less active during the day.
The findings were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Chicago yesterday.
Analysis shows around half of people with dementia who are living in care homes experience clinically significant pain.
Previous research recognised their suffering is often underdiagnosed and poorly managed.
Dementia expert Professor Clive Ballard of Exeter Medical School, said: “Pain is a symptom that can cause huge distress.
“It is important we can provide relief to people with dementia.
“At the moment we’re harming people when we are trying to ease their pain.”
Dr Laura Phipps from Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “It is essential people with dementia are given as much help as possible to manage chronic pain.
“This research suggests they may be particularly susceptible to harmful side effects of common opioid-based painkillers.
“The findings are concerning as underlying pain can be a significant contributor to distress in people with dementia.”