Pharmacological treatment and adherence one week prior to acute psychiatric admissions

To describe use of and adherence to psychotropic medication 1 week prior to acute admission to a psychiatric inpatient department.

All acute inpatient admissions to a department serving a catchment area were included.

Of the 227 admissions, 158 were prescribed psychotropic medication and 129 of the 158 had taken at least 75% of the prescribed dose. Among 59 patients with affective disorders, 23 were not prescribed medication prior to admission and two refused medication, while the rest were adherent.

The high adherence to medication 1 week prior to admission might be related to increased experience of serious symptoms. Lack of opportunity to receive pharmacological treatment is a major problem.