schizophrenia

The study was carried out to identify the high dose antipsychotic drug prescriptions in hospitalized schizophrenic patients. Antipsychotic drug dosing data of 200 patients were investigated during the study. The three methods applied were Chlorpromazine equivalents (CPZeq), percentages of the British National Formulary (BNF) maximum and Defined Daily Doses (DDDs). Of the 200 patients who had been prescribed antipsychotics during the study period, 13.5% (n=27) were identified as receiving either more than 100% of the BNF maximum or more than 1000mg CPZeq/day. Eight of these patients taking high doses were identified by both methods; seventeen were identified by the percentage BNF maximum method only and another two by the CPZeq method only. Average dose of antipsychotics according to CPZeq were found to be 472.85 mg. Average doses of antipsychotics according to the BNF were found to be 61.39%. Depicting total antipsychotic dose by this way helps to ensure patients at the risk of antipsychotic toxicity. Regular monitoring of patients is essential especially those are prescribed with combination of antipsychotics and high dose of antipsychotics to avoid dangerous side effects.