South African Journal of Psychiatry (Apr 2022)

Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital

  • Ihechiluru G. Anozie,
  • Bawo O. James,
  • Joyce O. Omoaregba,
  • Sunday O. Oriji,
  • Paul O. Erohubie,
  • Anthony C. Enebe

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1791
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 0
pp. e1 – e8

Abstract

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Background: Treatment guidelines recommend the use of antipsychotic monotherapy at effective doses for the treatment of schizophrenia, although about a third of the sufferers still receive high-dose antipsychotic treatment. Current evidence suggests that high-dose antipsychotic prescription (HDAP) not only fails to improve outcomes but also increases side effects. Aim: Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of HDAP and its association with illness severity, medication adherence behaviour and side effects amongst outpatients with schizophrenia. Setting: The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin-City, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 320 attendees with schizophrenia at the outpatient department was undertaken. We administered a sociodemographic and antipsychotic medication questionnaire, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effects Rating Scales and Medication Adherence Rating Scales. High-dose antipsychotic prescription was determined by the ratio of prescribed daily dose to defined daily dose greater than 1.5. Results: The prevalence of HDAP was 38.4%. Greater severity of illness, experiencing more side effects and poor medication adherence were significantly associated with HDAP. The major predictors of HDAP were antipsychotic polypharmacy and concurrent anticholinergic use. Conclusion: We conclude that although the use of HDAP amongst patients with schizophrenia remains common, its persistent use should be discouraged.

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