Prescription Pattern of Long Acting Haloperidol in a Tertiary Psychiatric Institution in South India: Ten - Year Retrospective Records Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND Long acting antipsychotics injections (LAIs) have proven efficacious with regard to improvement in symptoms, adherence and reduction of caregiver burden. Yet, their prescription pattern is less studied. Hence, the aim of the study was to examine the prescription pattern of a long acting antipsychotic injection, haloperidol, in a large tertiary psychiatry hospital over a period of 10 years from 2009 to 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study design was used to collect data for a time period of 10 years from 2009 – 2018. The data were collected from the hospital records for the total number of persons with mental health disorders used the tertiary center and from the central pharmacy records on the total long acting antipsychotics injection (Haloperidol LAI) dispensed during the study period. RESULTS Despite unchanging patient inflow, there was a decline in utilization of long acting haloperidol injection. The average number of haloperidol units utilized was 1595.5±294.8. The use sloped down from an average of 16 units per 1000 patients per month in 2009 to about 9 units per 1000 patients per month in 2018. CONCLUSION Steady declining pattern in the prescription of LAIs for the management of mental health disorders is observed, even though they are proven to be effective and have ease of use. It is important to explore the reasons and provide education and training for better utilization of LAIs among mental health professionals.