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High-dose antipsychotic treatment in clinical practice

A review, audit and survey of consultant psychiatrist opinions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Philip J. Tyson ,
Ann M. Mortimer  and
Jason A Wheeler
Ann M. Mortimer
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hull, Coniston House, Beverly Road, Willerby, Hull HU10 6NS
Jason A Wheeler
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hull, Coniston House, Beverly Road, Willerby, Hull HU10 6NS
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Abstract

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Aims and method

A trust-wide audit of antipsychotic prescription was conducted in order to investigate the prevalence of high-dose treatment in a population with schizophrenia and assess compliance with Royal College of Psychiatrists' guidelines on the use of high doses. Details of antipsychotic medication were recorded and in cases of high-dose treatment compliance with the College's guidelines was assessed.

Results

Sixteen out of 361 patients (4%) were receiving high-dose medication. At re-audit this figure fell to four patients (1%). High-dose treatment comprised of a combined depot and oral medication in most cases. There was poor compliance with the College's guidelines.

Clinical implications

The study stresses the importance of monitoring patients on high-dose antipsychotics, particularly when taken in combination.

Type
Original Papers
Information
Psychiatric Bulletin , Volume 23 , Issue 11: The Journal of Trends in Psychiatric Practice , November 1999 , pp. 661 - 664
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 Royal College of Psychiatrists

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