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Reduction in Antipsychotic Drug Dosage in Mentally Handicapped Patients

A Hospital Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Susan E. Wressell ,
Stephen P. Tyrer  and
Thomas P. Berney
Susan E. Wressell
Affiliation:
Fleming Nuffield Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne
Stephen P. Tyrer*
Affiliation:
Prudhoe Hospital, Northumberland NE42 5NT
Thomas P. Berney
Affiliation:
Prudhoe Hospital, Northumberland
*
∗Correspondence
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Abstract

An investigation in a large mental handicap hospital revealed that 24% of the in-patients were receiving antipsychotic drugs. Chlorpromazine and thioridazine prescriptions accounted for 62% of the total while 10% of patients received depot preparations. Fifty-five per cent of the patients receiving these drugs had no established psychiatric diagnosis; most of these could be categorised as having a behaviour disorder. Patients aged 30–50 received higher doses, and female patients received a significantly higher mean dosage than male ones. In the patients receiving neuroleptic drugs who had also been taking them four years previously, there was a significant reduction in the dosage of the drugs received and the extent of polypharmacy of these agents. A mandatory requirement to review all prescriptions annually, implemented in 1984, may be a reason for this.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 157 , Issue 1 , July 1990 , pp. 101 - 106
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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