Benzodiazepines found to increase risk of stroke among people with Alzheimer’s disease

A recent study from the University of Eastern Finland has shown that the use of benzodiazepines and similar drugs was associated with a 20% increased risk of stroke for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Patients with Alzheimer’s were at a higher risk of suffering from ischemic stroke, which are caused by an obstruction in the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain. Benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like drugs were not previously related to the occurrence of strokes, making the findings important.

The study, based on nationwide data was conducted between 2005 and 2011. Data included 45,050 people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The findings were published in the journal of International Clinical Psychopharmacology.

With stroke being one of the leading causes of death in patients with Alzheimer’s, the study encourages a careful look at the use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like drugs.