A one-day survey of characteristics of off-label hospital prescription of psychotropic drugs.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of off-label prescriptions of psychotropic drugs among patients hospitalised in psychiatry.


METHODS
A one-day cross-sectional study was used to explore off-label prescribing in patients hospitalised in four wards of a state psychiatric hospital. Information regarding patients and treatment characteristics was collected from medical records. Off-label prescribing was defined according to the Summary of Product Characteristics.


RESULTS
Seventy-five patients were included. Of the 261 prescriptions, more than one out of three (n=104, 39.8%) were off-label. Off-label prescribing was particularly high for anticonvulsants (97%), and to a lesser extent for mood stabilisers (33%) and anxiolytics (31%). The rate of off-label prescription was higher for 2nd compared to 1st generation antipsychotics. Most patients (84%) were prescribed at least one psychotropic drug outside of the licensed indication or recommended dosage. Patients with and without off-label prescription did not differ regarding history of prior admission, type of current admission (voluntary vs. compulsory) and diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In spite of its frequency in routine practice, off-label prescribing should not be trivialised. Prescribers should be better informed about the potential legal consequences of off-label prescribing.
Martin-Latry
K
K
Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.
Ricard
C
C
Verdoux
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017277:Drug Approval; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs