Dual atypical neuroleptic use: prescribing patterns at a Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic.
The use of two atypical neuroleptics (ANs) in a single patient is rising. In the study described herein, 57 patients receiving dual ANs were retrospectively evaluated at a Veterans Affairs outpatient medical center in South Carolina. Only 3% of all patients receiving ANs were prescribed two such drugs, and only 58% of patients taking dual ANs met the age-specific criteria for addition of a second drug. In 90% of cases, both prescriptions were written by the same prescriber. No evidence was noted of lack of communication between two prescribers treating the same patient.
Voris
John C
JC
College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, and Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, William Jennings Bryan Dorn Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina, USA. John.Voris@med.va.gov
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013022:South Carolina; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents