Statewide longitudinal survey of psychotropic medication use for persons with mental retardation: 1994 to 2000.

The use of psychotropic medication with persons who have mental retardation was surveyed. Data were collected on a large sample of Oklahomans in both 1994 and 2000. Analysis revealed that the use of antidepressant medication increased dramatically over the course of the study, apparently as a function of increased use of SSRI medications. Antipsychotic medication did not change dramatically, but a shift to the newer atypical antipsychotic medications was noted. In a separate analysis of persons who moved from an institutional setting to a community-based setting, evidence suggested an increased use of psychotropic medication.