Michael Joseph Sernyak1, Robert Rosenheck. 1. Psychiatry Service, 116A, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven Campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA. michael.sernyak@yale.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate clinician rationales for prescribing higher than recommended dosages of antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Prescribers for all patients at two VA medical centers whose dosage exceeded PORT recommendations were interviewed. RESULTS: For 91/107 (85%) of patients, the prescriber responded that the current dosage should not be decreased. Positive symptoms were the most common target symptoms (94%), followed by negative symptoms (26%), anxiety (23%), and insomnia (13%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving higher than recommended dosages of antipsychotics, clinicians were frequently able to cite specific target symptoms.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate clinician rationales for prescribing higher than recommended dosages of antipsychotic medications in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Prescribers for all patients at two VA medical centers whose dosage exceeded PORT recommendations were interviewed. RESULTS: For 91/107 (85%) of patients, the prescriber responded that the current dosage should not be decreased. Positive symptoms were the most common target symptoms (94%), followed by negative symptoms (26%), anxiety (23%), and insomnia (13%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving higher than recommended dosages of antipsychotics, clinicians were frequently able to cite specific target symptoms.