Factors predicting high-dose and combined antipsychotic prescribing in New Zealand: High-dose antipsychotic prescribing

Psychotropic medication use in people living with severe and persistent mental illness in the Australian community: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Psychotropic polypharmacy and high-dose prescribing may play a role in therapy, however, with associated risks. The aim of this study was to describe current prescribing practices and use of four psychotropic medication groups (antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilisers and benzodiazepines), focusing on polypharmacy (across and within groups) and high-dose prescribing in adults experiencing severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) in the Australian community.

METHODS

318 people taking psychotropic medication for SPMI had a medication review undertaken by a community pharmacist. Participants were recruited as part of an RCT from three Australian states/territories between September 2020-July 2021. All psychotropic medication and daily doses were recorded and reviewed for alignment with current clinical guidelines. Univariate and multiple logistic regression models investigated factors associated with antipsychotic, antidepressant, and mood stabiliser polypharmacy, and antipsychotic and antidepressant high-dose therapy. Variables included age, gender, geographic location, self- reported mental illness(es), hospital admission(s) in previous 6-months and prescriber type.

RESULTS

806 psychotropic medications were prescribed for the 318 participants. Mood stabiliser polypharmacy was recorded in 19.0% of participants prescribed mood stabilisers; antipsychotic polypharmacy in 18.4% of participants prescribed antipsychotics; antidepressant polypharmacy in 11.3% of those prescribed antidepressants; and three participants (5.1%) were prescribed two benzodiazepines concurrently. Almost 18.6% of the cohort was receiving high-dose treatment; 18 participants were prescribed high-dose antipsychotics and 39 high-dose antidepressants, with two participants prescribed both. Adjusted logistic regression for polypharmacy found male gender, psychiatrist as sole prescriber, or multiple prescribers, were associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy. The adjusted model for high-dose therapy found psychiatrist as sole prescriber was significantly associated with antipsychotic and antidepressant high-dose prescribing.

CONCLUSION

Psychotropic polypharmacy was common in this community cohort experiencing SPMI. Whilst polypharmacy is not always inappropriate, it is a complex construct with potential benefits alongside potential risks. Benefits and harms need to be balanced however this practice is not supported by clear guidance to assist health practitioners. This study highlights the important need for regular medication reviews and strengthened communication between consumers and all healthcare professionals involved in community mental health care, to support safe and effective use of psychotropic medications.

Antipsychotic prescribing practices in real-life (APPREAL study): Findings from the French National Healthcare System Database (2007-2017)

BACKGROUND

Antipsychotics are used in a large variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders; investigating their use in real life is important to understand national prescribing practices, as well as to determine the levels of patient adherence.

METHODS

Using a 1/97e random sample (General Sample of Beneficiaries, EGB) of the French health insurance reimbursement database, we conducted a historical cohort study on the 2007-2017 period. The aim was to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of patients, the types of antipsychotics dispensed, the types of prescribers, the mean doses and average durations of treatment, the co-dispensed medications, and the levels of adherence to treatment. To exclude punctual uses of antipsychotics, we selected only patients with a continuous dispensing of the same antipsychotic over at least 3 months.

RESULTS

In total, 13,799 subjects (1.66% of the EGB sample) were included (56.0% females; mean age 55.8 ± 19.4 years). Risperidone (19.3%), cyamemazine (18.7%), olanzapine (11.9%), tiapride (8.8%), and haloperidol (7.5%) were the five most prescribed antipsychotics. 44.9% of prescriptions were written by general practitioners, 34.1% by hospital practitioners, and 18.4% by private-practice psychiatrists. On average, the mean dispensed doses were relatively low, but the variation range was large. Long-acting forms were used in 5.4% of the sample, and clozapine in 1.3%. 34.2% of patients received more than one antipsychotic, and almost 15% were prescribed at least three concomitant antipsychotics. Paliperidone and clozapine were associated with the highest levels of adherence, and risperidone and haloperidol with the lowest ones.

CONCLUSION

An important heterogeneity of antipsychotic prescribing practices was observed in France. The rate of use of long-acting antipsychotics was low, whereas multiple antipsychotic prescriptions were frequent.