Changes in psychotropic medication use in nursing homes over a 9-month period

A 1993 survey of nursing home residents in one part of Sydney was repeated 9 months later. Details of psychotropic medication given to the 1433 residents who survived and remained in the same 38 nursing homes were examined. There were modest reductions in the percentage of residents taking neuroleptics, anxiolytics and hypnotics, but there was an increase from 16.0% to 17.6% in the percentage of residents taking antidepressants. About 65% of those taking psychotropic medication at the initial survey remained on exactly the same dose 9 months later. Most of those taking neuroleptic or antidepressant medication were given relatively small daily doses. Intervention studies are desirable to examine how best to improve prescribing practices.