Psychopharmacological Treatment of Schizophrenia Over Time in 30 908 Inpatients: Data From the AMSP Study

Abstract

Background: Psychotropic drugs are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, often requiring lifelong treatment. Data on pharmacotherapy in inpatient settings are lacking. Methods: Prescription data of schizophrenic inpatients within the time period 2000–2015 were obtained from the database of the Drug Safety Program in Psychiatry (AMSP). Data were collected at 2 index dates per year; the prescription patterns and changes over time were analyzed. Results: Among 30908 inpatients (mean age 41.6 years, 57.8% males), the drug classes administered most often were antipsychotics (94.8%), tranquilizers (32%), antidepressants (16.5%), antiparkinsonians (16%), anticonvulsants (14.1%), hypnotics (8.1%), and lithium (2.1%). The use of second-generation antipsychotics significantly increased from 62.8% in 2000 to 88.9% in 2015 (P