PHARMACOLOGY IN SCHIZOPHRENIA

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic debilitating major psychiatric illness which is characterized by a decreased ability to understand reality, strange speech and abnormal behavior.

Aims: To find out pharmacological patterns in schizophrenic patients.

Materials & Methods: The present observational cross-sectional study involved prescription of 150 schizophrenic patients and was conducted in the outpatient department (OPD) of tertiary care hospital, Jammu over a period of two months. Data like name, number, combination of drugs etc of psychotropic medications were collected

Results: Average number of drugs per prescription was 2.26. Among prescribed antipsychotics, 87.9% were atypical antipsychotic drugs. Single antipsychotic was used in 57.3% patients whereas combination of antipsychotics were used in 42.7% patients. Olanzapine was the most commonly used antipsychotic drug and was prescribed in 72.7% patients. Benzodiazepines were the most commonly used comedications and were prescribed in 62% patients.

Conclusion: From present study, it has been concluded that atypical antipsychotic drugs were the most frequently prescribed among schizophrenic patients. The most common medication to be used was olanzapine whereas the most common comedications used along with antipsychotics were benzodiazepines.

Keywords: Antipsychotics, Olanzapine, Schizophrenia.