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High-dose antipsychotic treatment in clinical practice

A review, audit and survey of consultant psychiatrist opinions

Department of Psychiatry, University of Hull, Coniston House, Beverly Road, Willerby, Hull HU10 6NS

^* Correspondence

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.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Harrington, P. Lelliott, C. Paton, C. Okocha, R. Duffett, and T. Sensky The results of a multi-centre audit of the prescribing of antipsychotic drugs for in-patients in the UK Psychiatr. Bull., November 1, 2002; 26(11): 414 - 418. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]