Dear All,
I have just received a report from the NHS Trust for the Nursing Home where my father is staying.
They have just informed me that they have 'recently' discontinued his Aricept treatment. This has been done with absolutely NO prior consultation with me. As Power of Attorney for my father, I assume that this power should cover pretty well every aspect of his life - including which drugs are prescribed for his wellbeing. Interestingly, it also coincides with an application for continuing care, since after 8 years of paying care fees for both my parents, the money is all but finished.
I also note that amongst the list of drugs that have been substituted instead are Zopiclone which appears to be an hypnotic drug to promote long periods of sleep.
My mother was prescribed this drug which turned her into a total blob until our very caring Consultant Psychiatrist was notified and prescribed Ebixa. Instead of being a zombie, my mother was able to articulate clearly and even wash and dress herself after a month on Ebixa and she lived for a further 2 years afterwards. I now wonder if she too was taken off Ebixa without my knowledge.
My father is now also now being administered QUETIAPINE 25mg b.d. [Does anyone know what this b.d bit stands for?]. I have just checked the FDA website for this drug which is listed as a drug used to treat the symptoms of Schizophrenia - NOT Altzheimers. I quote:
IMPORTANT WARNING:
'Studies have shown that older adults with dementia [significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory, severe enough to affect social or occupational function] who take antipyschotic medications such as Quetiapine to treat behavourial problems have an increased chance of death. Quetiapine is not approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of behavioural disorders in older adults with demetia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member or someone you take of is taking Quetiapine to treat behavioural problems associated with dementia'.
For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/cder.
I shall be ringing the NH tonight to insist that my father discontinues this drug immediately!
Jude
I have just received a report from the NHS Trust for the Nursing Home where my father is staying.
They have just informed me that they have 'recently' discontinued his Aricept treatment. This has been done with absolutely NO prior consultation with me. As Power of Attorney for my father, I assume that this power should cover pretty well every aspect of his life - including which drugs are prescribed for his wellbeing. Interestingly, it also coincides with an application for continuing care, since after 8 years of paying care fees for both my parents, the money is all but finished.
I also note that amongst the list of drugs that have been substituted instead are Zopiclone which appears to be an hypnotic drug to promote long periods of sleep.
My mother was prescribed this drug which turned her into a total blob until our very caring Consultant Psychiatrist was notified and prescribed Ebixa. Instead of being a zombie, my mother was able to articulate clearly and even wash and dress herself after a month on Ebixa and she lived for a further 2 years afterwards. I now wonder if she too was taken off Ebixa without my knowledge.
My father is now also now being administered QUETIAPINE 25mg b.d. [Does anyone know what this b.d bit stands for?]. I have just checked the FDA website for this drug which is listed as a drug used to treat the symptoms of Schizophrenia - NOT Altzheimers. I quote:
IMPORTANT WARNING:
'Studies have shown that older adults with dementia [significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory, severe enough to affect social or occupational function] who take antipyschotic medications such as Quetiapine to treat behavourial problems have an increased chance of death. Quetiapine is not approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of behavioural disorders in older adults with demetia. Talk to the doctor who prescribed this medication if you, a family member or someone you take of is taking Quetiapine to treat behavioural problems associated with dementia'.
For more information visit the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/cder.
I shall be ringing the NH tonight to insist that my father discontinues this drug immediately!
Jude