Open AccessAntipsychotic Polypharmacy and High Doses in a Rural Portuguese Community Mental Health Service
Author(s) -
Sara Freitas Ramos,
Diana Cruz,
B. Jesus,
J. Correia,
I. Fonseca Vaz,
J.C. Mendes
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
revista portuguesa de psiquiatria e saúde mental/revista portuguesa de psiquiatria e saúde mental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2184-5522
pISSN - 2184-5417
DOI - 10.51338/rppsm.2021.v7.i3.163
Subject(s) - polypharmacy , antipsychotic , medical prescription , medicine , psychiatry , portuguese , mental health , anticholinergic , mental illness , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , nursing , linguistics , philosophy
Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) and high dose (APHD) remain a common practice in the treatment of severe mental illness, even though they are not supported by current international guidelines.
Methods: We aimed to establish the prescribing patterns of antipsychotics in a community mental health service in a rural setting, to determine the prevalence of APP and APHD treatment and to identify associated factors.
Results: We identified 284 patients. APP was present in 46.5% patients and was associated to younger age, single status, more previous psychiatric admissions, and anticholinergic prescription. Prescription of APHD was observed in 14.4% patients and was associated with previous inpatient admissions, being prescribed with a first generation long‑acting injectable antipsychotic and anticholinergics. We also found that APP and APHD were mutually associated.
Conclusion: Despite current guidelines, we found prevalences of APP and APHD of 46.5% and 14.4%, respectively. Further studies are necessary to better evaluate the antipsychotic prescription patterns in Portugal.