FRIDAY, Jan. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Second-generation atypical antipsychotic drugs approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are being prescribed for off-label uses such as dementia and depression without strong evidence of their effectiveness, according to an analysis released Jan. 17 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
The researchers reviewed 84 published studies on the off-label uses of atypical antipsychotics such as aripiprazole (Abilify), olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), and ziprasidone (Geodon). These are U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but are prescribed for conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, personality disorders, autism and Tourette's syndrome.
However, the analysis showed that there was little scientific evidence that these treatments were effective for these conditions and could increase the chances of adverse events such as stroke, tremors, sedation and gastrointestinal problems.
"Caution is necessary in the off-label use of atypical antipsychotics, especially when used in the elderly and when the evidence for effectiveness is not good," the agency's director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D., said in a statement.
The study, "Efficacy and Comparative Effectiveness of Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics," was produced by the agency's Effective Health Care program.
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