Patients with dementia who take antipsychotics should have their prescriptions reviewed within a year, campaigners have said.
They hope the action will help reduce the use of such drugs which have been shown to almost double the risk of early death when taken over a prolonged period.
Rebecca Wood, chief executive officer of the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “The danger of prescribing antipsychotics long-term for anything other than exceptional circumstances is well established.
“Action to reduce the prescription of these drugs and develop alternative treatments has lacked urgency.
“This campaign, fully supported by Alzheimer’s Research UK, should renew that urgency and drive home the need to invest in more research so that safer, more effective treatments can be found.”
The charity is backing The Right Prescription campaign for patients to have their medication reviewed by March 31.
It will urge eight groups - including GPs, psychiatrists, care home leaders and people with dementia and their carers - to commit to the call and help secure a reduction in the use of antipsychotics.
Care services minister Paul Burstow is supporting the drive, which is backed by more than 50 organisations.
“It is unacceptable that 1,800 people with dementia die prematurely every year as a result of antipsychotic medication,” he said.
“That is why I’m backing this campaign. Reducing the use of antipsychotic medication is one of the coalition government’s four key priorities for dementia.
“With the right support, people can live well with dementia and continue to do the things they enjoy for years after diagnosis.”
According to estimates by the Dementia Action Alliance, whose members include the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and the Department of Health, around 180,000 people with dementia are being prescribed antipsychotics.