Drug utilisation and adverse drug reaction monitoring in schizophrenic patients: A tertiary care hospital study in India.

Abstract

Inadequate and poorly documented data on psychotropic drug utilization in schizophrenia in India necessitates systematic evaluation of prescribing patterns and associated adverse drug reactions. This prospective observational study assessed drug utilization, prescription rationality and adverse drug reactions among schizophrenia patients attending a tertiary care psychiatric outpatient department using WHO prescribing indicators. A total of 112 prescriptions comprising 285 drugs were analyzed, with atypical antipsychotics prescribed in 87% of first-visit cases, while combination therapies and polypharmacy were frequently observed. Significant dose variations were noted in commonly used antipsychotics such as risperidone, olanzapine and aripiprazole, as well as benzodiazepines like clonazepam and lorazepam (p<0.001). Atypical antipsychotics predominated due to better tolerability and lower extrapyramidal side effects, highlighting evolving prescribing trends. Thus, structured evidence on drug utilization patterns and variability in dosing, help in optimizing rational prescribing practices in schizophrenia management.