A major U.K. study of more than 165,000 dementia patients has found that risperidone raises stroke risk without exception, challenging safety assumptions by leaving no “safe group.”
The powerful anti-psychotic is commonly used to treat dementia patients experiencing severe agitation, especially in care homes where other strategies have failed.
Stroke risk among dementia patients taking risperidone rose even in people with no history of heart disease or stroke. This counters assumptions about safety and raises questions about how the drug, the only licensed drug of this type for use in dementia, is used and monitored.
The findings, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, will likely prompt calls for changes in clinical practise.
Most striking was how consistent the risk was across all groups. “We knew risperidone causes stroke,but we didn’t know whether some groups of people might be more at risk than others.We thought if we might identify characteristics that make people more at risk, doctors could avoid prescribing to patients with those ch
Risperidone Linked to Increased Stroke Risk, Especially in Those With Prior History
New research indicates a link between the antipsychotic drug risperidone and an increased risk of stroke, particularly for individuals who have already experienced a stroke. The study, analyzing anonymized NHS records from 2004 to 2023, found a significantly higher annual stroke rate among risperidone users with a stroke history – 22.2 per 1,000 people – compared to those not taking the medication (17.7 per 1,000).
Even in patients without a prior stroke, risperidone use was associated with a slightly elevated risk (2.9% vs. 2.2%), and the risk appeared higher with short-term use (within 12 weeks).
Risperidone is often prescribed for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, but many patients take it for longer, with monitoring standards varying across the country. There are no U.K. licensed alternatives in such cases, according to Dr. Creese, necessitating careful risk assessment and clear communication. Doctors typically reserve risperidone for situations where it is indeed a last resort.
“These findings give clearer facts about who is most at risk, which helps everyone make more informed choices,” explains a researcher. “every decision should be based on what is right for each person, thru honest conversations between doctors, patients, and families.”
The research team hopes the data will contribute to updated, more personalized guidance for risperidone use, taking individual patient characteristics into account.
Dementia drug raises stroke risk-even in ‘low-risk’ patients, study shows
October 10, 2025 – A new study has revealed an increased risk of stroke associated with a dementia drug, even among patients previously considered to be at low risk. The findings raise concerns about the drug’s safety profile and necessitate a reevaluation of patient selection criteria.
While the specific drug name is not provided in the original source, this news highlights a critical issue in dementia treatment and drug safety.Stroke is a serious and possibly debilitating complication, and identifying factors that increase risk is crucial for patient care.
The study, retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-dementia-drug-patients.html, suggests that the increased stroke risk isn’t limited to individuals with pre-existing conditions that typically elevate stroke probability. This broadens the potential population affected by this adverse effect.
Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this increased risk and to determine appropriate mitigation strategies.Healthcare professionals should carefully consider these findings when prescribing the medication and closely monitor patients for any signs of stroke.
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