title: Reduction in antipsychotic drug dosage in mentally handicapped patients. A hospital study.
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.
authors.affiliation: Fleming Nuffield Unit, Newcastle upon Tyne.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Wressell
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Tyrer
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Berney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations