Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
371622 | Research in Developmental Disabilities | 2012 | 7 Pages |
Antipsychotic medication rates are high in adults with developmental disability. This study considered rates of antipsychotic use in 743 adults with developmental disability who had experienced a psychiatric crisis. Nearly half (49%) of these adults were prescribed antipsychotics. Polypharmacy was common with 22% of those prescribed antipsychotics taking 2 or more antipsychotics at once. Predictors of multiple antipsychotic use included gender, residence, psychiatric diagnosis and previous hospitalizations. Implications of medication prescriptions to this vulnerable population are discussed.
► 47.8% of adults with developmental disability who had crisis were prescribed antipsychotics. ► 80.8% of people taking antipsychotics were prescribed antipsychotics plus at least 1 other psychotropic medication. ► Predictors of multiple antipsychotic use included gender, residence, psychiatric diagnosis and previous hospitalizations.