FREQUENCY OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS USE BY PATIENTS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA IN EIGHT YEARS FOLLOW-UP

Objective: To measure the frequency of various psychotropic drugs used by patients with schizophrenia in 8 years follow up. Methodology: It was a descriptive observational study. This study was conducted at Department of Psychiatry Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from 2004 to 2012. A sample of 52 patients diagnosed as schizophrenics was included through consecutive sampling. These patients were part of a project known as Severe Mental Illness (SMI). They were regularly assessed once in a month and were provided antipsychotic, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. Results: The study included 52 (n=52) patients. Males were 33 (62%) and females were 19 (37%). Age of patients ranged from 15-60 with the mean age of 28.82 ± 10.67. Mean age of males was 31.08 ± 9.66 and of females was 25.84 ± 11.43. Number of visits missed during the study was 2%. Fifty two% of patients were stable on 4mg of risperidone per day. Fifty percent of the patients were stable on 5 to 10mg of olanzapine per day. Depot preparation was required by 38% and less than 50% of the patients required carbamazepine as mood stabilizers from 200 to 400mg per day. Twenty three percent of the patients required 20gm of fluoxetine per day. Conclusion: During 8 years follow up the most frequent anti psychotic drugs used by patient to remain stable were risperidone 4mg per day followed by olanzapine 5 to 10 mg per day