Pattern of prescription of psychotropics (antipsychotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines) in Western Australian residential aged care facilities

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are exhibited by up to 90% of residents in aged care facilities and are associated with a risk of inappropriate use of psychotropic drugs. This study examined the prevalence pattern of psychotropic drug use in 409 residents from 11 residential aged care facilities in Western Australia. Sixty-four (n = 64; 15.6%) residents were not prescribed any psychotropic drug, 345 (84.4%) were prescribed at least one psychotropic drug and between 4 and 10% were prescribed high doses, depending on the class of psychotropic. Despite increasing awareness of inappropriate psychotropic drug use in this population, targeted and effective interventions are required to improve psychotropic prescribing practices.

Automated summary

This study examined the prevalence pattern of psychotropic drug use in aged care facilities, finding that 84.4% of residents were prescribed at least one psychotropic drug and 4% to 10% were prescribed high doses. Targeted and effective interventions are needed to improve psychotropic prescribing practices in this population despite increasing awareness of inappropriate drug use.