OBJECTIVES: The use of antipsychotics for people with dementia is regarded as problematic, causing cerebrovascular side effects and increasing mortality. In some countries, health-policy makers have already addressed a need for action to reduce the prescription of antipsychotics in dementia. The main goal of the analysis is to determine the extent of co-medication of antipsychotics for patients with medically-treated dementia in Austria, stratified by age and sex. METHODS: Provided in a pseudonymised manner, the data comprise all filled prescriptions of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in the years 2011 and 2012 at the expense of the 13 major Austrian health insurance funds, covering more than 97% of the Austrian population. Additionally, antipsychotic medication of the involved patient pseudonyms is included, as well as age, sex and - where occurred – date of death. For the analysis, the overlapping time frame is relevant, i.e. when both substance groups were consumed. Descriptive statistics are used to capture the extent and variability of a co-medication of these two substance groups. RESULTS: Starting with 72,549 patients included in the data (66% female), 31,605 (43.6%) were concurrently being prescribed antipsychotics to their anti-dementia drugs. The median for the overlapping time frame is 294 days, for anti-dementia prescriptions it is eleven and for antipsychotics it is seven. Age is a factor for increasing antipsychotic medication. Considering demography, there are no remarkable differences between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that the use of antipsychotics in dementia is notably common in Austria, with a high prevalence as well as a tendency to long-term use. The results reflect the prescription reality and can be used as a solid basis for discussions, possible actions and evaluations about antipsychotics in dementia in the Austrian health system.