Abstract
As described in a previous article (Lynch, 1989) prescription sheets and case notes of people resident in a mental handicap hospital on 31st March 1978 and 31st March 1987 were analysed to identify changes in prescribing patterns of psychotropic medication. The number of people on regular neuroleptics (major tranquillisers used in the treatment of psychoses) increased, but those on regular benzodiazepines (minor tranquillisers used to alleviate anxiety) did not change greatly over the period. The type of drug used in each class did alter. In the first class thioridazine and chlorpromazine were prescribed more often by 1987, and several newer benzodiazepines were prescribed, such as temazepam to replace flurazepam. The number of people on more than one drug did not alter greatly.
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