Antipsychotics have been widely used in psychiatric patients for indications other then psychosis. In the elderly antipsychotics are commonly used in mood disorders, agitation and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The use of antipsychotics in real-life clinical setting does not always follow recommendations, which is especially important in vulnerable populations like the elderly and the elderly with dementia.

Our study presents cross-sectional data on the use of antipsychotics in hospitalized elderly psychiatric patients (n=90). Data have been extracted from medical records by structured data sheet.

Our sample of elderly inpatients is female predominant, with high age variability and consists of patients with various diagnosis, in around half of them the main diagnose is dementia. The use of antipsychotics for at least some time during hospitalization has been recorded in almost all patients for different reasons beyond diagnosis. Among antipsychotics atypicals have been used most often, usually in low doses. Among typical antipsychotics haloperidol and promazine have been used to control agitation but seldom as continuous therapy.

The results of our study confirm the wide use of antipsychotics in the elderly for various reasons that follow syndromes, behaviors and some of the acute symptoms rather then diagnosis. Considering the biological vulnerability of the elderly and potentials for side-effects as well as multiple drug use more attention has to be put on the actual use of antipsychotics which should be reflected in guidelines and recommendations.