Abdolreza Sabahi1, Gholamreza Sepehri1, Mottahareh Mohsenbeigi2, Ehsan Sepehri3. 1. Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; 2. Kerman Social Security Organization, Kerman, Iran; 3. Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and utilisation of psychotropic drug prescriptions by psychiatrists in Kerman Province, Iran. METHODS: The prescriptions of 27 psychiatrists were randomly selected from two Iranian public insurance organisations and were analysed for the mean number of drugs/prescriptions, drug category and the most frequently prescribed drug in each category as well as overall. RESULTS: A total of 6,414 prescriptions were analysed. The mean number of drugs per prescription was 2.9. Antidepressants (61.0%) were the most frequently prescribed category of psychotropic medications, followed by antipsychotics (29.5%), sedative/hypnotics or anti-anxiety drugs (27.5%) and mood stabilisers (18.5%). The combination of antidepressants with antipsychotics was the most commonly prescribed combination (18.8%). Fluoxetine (16.5%) and trifluoperazine (13.5%) were among the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotics, respectively. Clonazepam (10.5%) was the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine agent, followed by alprazolam (8.5%). In terms of total drug utilisation, sertraline (12.4%) was the most commonly used psychotropic medication followed by fluoxetine (9.7%), trifluoperazine (6.6%), propranolol (4.5%) and clonazepam (3.7%). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of psychotropic prescriptions in Kerman Province were for antidepressants, followed by antipsychotics and the benzodiazepines. Further research is needed to determine the underlying correlation between prescription practice and the diagnosis and patient characteristics, as well as to investigate the use of different psychotropic medications.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the pattern and utilisation of psychotropic drug prescriptions by psychiatrists in Kerman Province, Iran. METHODS: The prescriptions of 27 psychiatrists were randomly selected from two Iranian public insurance organisations and were analysed for the mean number of drugs/prescriptions, drug category and the most frequently prescribed drug in each category as well as overall. RESULTS: A total of 6,414 prescriptions were analysed. The mean number of drugs per prescription was 2.9. Antidepressants (61.0%) were the most frequently prescribed category of psychotropic medications, followed by antipsychotics (29.5%), sedative/hypnotics or anti-anxiety drugs (27.5%) and mood stabilisers (18.5%). The combination of antidepressants with antipsychotics was the most commonly prescribed combination (18.8%). Fluoxetine (16.5%) and trifluoperazine (13.5%) were among the most frequently prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotics, respectively. Clonazepam (10.5%) was the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepine agent, followed by alprazolam (8.5%). In terms of total drug utilisation, sertraline (12.4%) was the most commonly used psychotropic medication followed by fluoxetine (9.7%), trifluoperazine (6.6%), propranolol (4.5%) and clonazepam (3.7%). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of psychotropic prescriptions in Kerman Province were for antidepressants, followed by antipsychotics and the benzodiazepines. Further research is needed to determine the underlying correlation between prescription practice and the diagnosis and patient characteristics, as well as to investigate the use of different psychotropic medications.
Authors: Yu-Tao Xiang; Julie Kreyenbuhl; Faith B Dickerson; Gabor S Ungvari; Chuan-Yue Wang; Tian-Mei Si; Edwin H Lee; Yan-Ling He; Helen F Chiu; Shu-Yu Yang; Mian-Yoon Chong; Chay-Hoon Tan; Ee-Heok Kua; Senta Fujii; Kang Sim; Michael K Yong; Jitendra K Trivedi; Eun-Kee Chung; Pichet Udomratn; Kok-Yoon Chee; Norman Sartorius; Naotaka Shinfuku Journal: Aust N Z J Psychiatry Date: 2012-07-11 Impact factor: 5.744
Authors: Verônica Contini; Diego L Rovaris; Marcelo M Victor; Eugenio H Grevet; Luis A Rohde; Claiton H D Bau Journal: Eur Neuropsychopharmacol Date: 2012-06-17 Impact factor: 4.600