A survey of psychotropic drug utilization by patients with advanced neoplastic disease

The utilization of psychotropic drugs in patients with advanced neoplastic disease was studied over a 14-month period. Eight hundred twenty-four (82.4%) of one thousand consecutively admitted patients were prescribed at least one psychotropic agent. Antipsychotic agents were prescribed for 61.3% and hypnotics for 55.8% of the total patient sample. Only one out of ten patients received an antidepressant medication. Significantly more psychotropic drugs were prescribed for the relatively younger patients (less than 50 years). Diphenhydramine, prochlorperazine, and haloperidol were the most frequently prescribed psychopharmacologic agents. The most common reasons for prescribing psychotropic medications were for psychologic distress, sleep disorders, and nausea and vomiting. Clinical consequences are discussed.