Dual atypical neuroleptic use: prescribing patterns at a Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic

The use of two atypical neuroleptics (ANs) in a single patient is rising. In the study described herein, 57 patients receiving dual ANs were retrospectively evaluated at a Veterans Affairs outpatient medical center in South Carolina. Only 3% of all patients receiving ANs were prescribed two such drugs, and only 58% of patients taking dual ANs met the age-specific criteria for addition of a second drug. In 90% of cases, both prescriptions were written by the same prescriber. No evidence was noted of lack of communication between two prescribers treating the same patient.