Trends in combination antipsychotic use among persons with commercial insurance: a data snapshot.

In this data snapshot, the IMS PharMetrics Database was examined to assess the prevalence of combination antipsychotic therapy for the years 2003 through 2009 among 122,349 commercially insured adult individuals with bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia. Although all three diagnostic groups were associated with varying amounts of combination antipsychotic use that included aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone and ziprasidone, persons with schizophrenia exhibited the highest rates. These findings indicate that from the perspective of "practice-based evidence," providers see value in combination therapy.