Background. Despite recommendations by guidelines to avoid combinations of antipsychotics unless after multiple trials of\nantipsychotic monotherapy, it is quite a common practice to use combinations. This practice leads to unnecessary expenses and\nexposes the patient to severe drug adverse effects. Methods. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to\nMay 2014. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 423 study subjects. Logistic regression analysis was conducted\nto identify associated factors of antipsychotic polypharmacy among schizophrenia outpatients. Result. The overall prevalence\nof antipsychotic polypharmacy was found to be 28.2%. Extra pyramidal side effects (AOR = 2.80; 95% CI: 1.38, 5.71), repeated\npsychiatric hospitalization (AOR = 2.83; 95% CI: 1.45, 5.50), history of substance use (AOR = 2.82; 95% CI: 1.36, 5.88), longer\nduration of treatment (AOR = 2.10; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.87), and drug non adherence (AOR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.14, 2.98) were found to be\nsignificantly associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy. Conclusion. Prevalence of antipsychotic polypharmacy was found to be\nhigh among the current study participants. Individuals who had extra pyramidal side effects, admission, substance use, duration of\ntreatment, and drug non adherence were associated with antipsychotic polypharmacy
Loading....