Long-term use of neuroleptics among elderly in a Swedish community.
OBJECTIVE
Analysis of long-term use of neuroleptics among the elderly in a Swedish community.


METHODS
Cohort study, three-year follow-up period.


METHODS
Primary care.


METHODS
All people aged 65 years or older who used neuroleptics in 1984.


RESULTS
Neuroleptic use was fairly common among elderly and continued long-term use was relatively frequent. One third of long-term users obtained doses exceeding a recommended dosage range. Prescribed doses were seldom changed during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
The high proportion of long-term users and the stability of the prescribed doses indicate that there is a need for more information to be made available to prescribes regarding the risks of long-term use of neuroleptics in primary care.
Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
D G
DG
Isacson
K A
KA
Bingefors
K I
KI
Antonov
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013548:Sweden
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents