High Dose Antipsychotic Use in Schizophrenia: Findings of the REAP (Research on East Asia Psychotropic Prescriptions) Study

• DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-827174
• Publication Date: 2004-07-01T08:06:02Z
• Authors: K. Sim; A. Su; J. Y. Leong; K. Yip; M.-Y. Chong; S. Fujii; S. Yang; G. S. Ungvari; T. Si; E. K. Chung; H.-Y. Tsang; N. Shinfuku; E. H. Kua; C. H. Tan
• Keywords: Psychotropic Agent

Background: High-dose antipsychotic regimes (defined as the prescription of more than 1000 chlorpromazine-equivalents milligrams per day) in management patients with schizophrenia are not uncommon, but most reports from western countries. Recent functional neuroimaging studies have found that previous notion concerning use medication, especially high doses, was unsupported and untenable. Methods: This international study examined dose medication its clinical correlates within six East Asian countries/territories. Results: Within group (n = 2399), 430 (17.9 %) were prescribed antipsychotics. Antipsychotic varied significantly between countries, Japan, Korea, Singapore using higher doses other High associated younger age Japan (p < 0.001), longer duration admission illness 0.001, particularly Korea Taiwan), positive psychotic symptoms Korea), aggression 0.05, Japan), also a likelihood extrapyramidal autonomic adverse effects China). Country, age, presence delusions disorganized speech, polypharmacy, receiving depot atypical drugs important predictors use. Conclusions: survey revealed dosing is an uncommon practice Asia. It behooves prescribing clinicians to constantly reevaluate rationale for such practice.