Effects of switching antipsychotics in 80 outpatients: A descriptive analysis from a mental health community

Abstract

Introduction

In the general practice, psychiatrists widely prescribe antipsychotics for several conditions as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and behavioral disorders among others.

Aim and objectives

The aim of this study is to describe the clinical and sociodemographic features of typical patients receiving antipsychotics and their effects after switching to long-acting treatment.

Methods

A descriptive analysis of 80 outpatients collected from a mental health clinic in Santander (Spain) was performed. All patients were taking antipsychotics at baseline, both oral and intramuscular, and were switched to a different long-acting antipsychotic drug.

Results

At baseline, 24 patients were taking oral medication and 56 intramuscular. There were 37 females and 43 males. There were no gender differences in the final treatment, but Palmitate Paliperidone (71.3%) was the most prescribed drug, followed by intramuscular risperidone (16.3%) and long-acting aripiprazole (11.3%). We found gender differences regarding cannabis (P = 0.002), alcohol (P = 0.004) and tobacco (P = 0.043) consumption, being their use more common in males. In regard to diagnosis, schizophrenia was predominant in both gender groups, whereas delusional and behavioral disorders were more frequent in females. There were no significant differences in the reason of switching, but the inefficacy was more common in males and the side effects in females. At the switching, females were significantly older than males (P = 0.003). We found significant differences before and after switching regarding the number of admissions, emergency visits and length of stay.

Conclusions

Antipsychotic benefits are individual and unpredictable. When switching, some other different factors should be taking in account, not only regarding medication.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.