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Polypharmacy in psychiatry: a review.
Sanjay Kukreja1, Gurvinder Kalra, Nilesh Shah
1Research Associate, Lokmanya Tilak Medical College and Sion General Hospital, Sion, Mumbai 400 022, India.
Mens Sana Monographs
|May 17, 2013
Summary
Psychiatric polypharmacy, using multiple medications, is increasingly common. Understanding its factors and using education and guidelines can help manage and avoid irrational prescribing.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Psychiatric polypharmacy involves prescribing multiple psychiatric medications concurrently.
- This practice is rapidly increasing despite advances in psychopharmacology.
- Prevalence rates for polypharmacy in psychiatry range widely from 13% to 90%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concept and increasing prevalence of psychiatric polypharmacy.
- To identify clinical and pharmaco-economic factors associated with polypharmacy.
- To highlight strategies for managing and avoiding irrational polypharmacy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on psychiatric polypharmacy.
- Analysis of prevalence data.
- Discussion of associated clinical and economic factors.
Main Results:
- Psychiatric polypharmacy is a growing trend with a broad prevalence spectrum.
- Numerous clinical and pharmaco-economic factors contribute to its use.
- Effective management strategies are crucial.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the factors driving psychiatric polypharmacy is essential.
- Education, guidelines, and algorithms can mitigate irrational polypharmacy.
- Appropriate management is key to optimizing patient care.
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