Patterns of use of Antipsychotic Medication in a Regional Community Mental Health Service

Abstract

Objective: To audit the use of antipsychotic medications in a regional community mental health service. Method: In April 1999 each case manager of the adult and aged care community mental health service documented all medications being prescribed for patients in their care. Results: Out of a total of 792 patients, 572 (72.2%) were prescribed antipsychotic medication. Of those prescribed antipsychotic medication, 67.1% were prescribed atypical or novel antipsychotics, 14.3% were prescribed conventional oral antipsychotics and 23.6% were prescribed a depot antipsychotic preparation. Of the 456 patients prescribed oral antipsychotic medication, 84.2% were prescribed atypical antipsychotics (38.6% were prescribed clozapine, 28.7% olanzapine and 18% risperidone). A total of 100 patients were on a community treatment order (CTO): 40% of patients on a CTO who were prescribed antipsychotics, were prescribed a depot antipsychotic medication compared with 13.7% of patients prescribed antipsychotics who were not on a CTO. Conclusion: The pattern of antipsychotic medication use in this regional community service shows that atypical antipsychotic medication was used more commonly than conventional antipsychotic medication. Over 30% of the use of atypical antipsychotic medication in this service was for conditions other than schizophrenia.