Psychotropic drugs prescription at two regional psychiatric hospitals in northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Studies on psychotropic drug prescription in Nigeria are few, limited to the south and over a decade old. With the recent advances in psychopharmacology an audit is desirable.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice and pattern of psychotropic drugs prescription for new patients attending out-patient clinic in two Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospitals in Northern Nigeria and to identify extent of potential drug-drug interaction in the prescriptions.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study, using charts review, on new patients seen over a month at the out-patient clinics of two regional psychiatric hospitals in Northern Nigeria.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventy-eight patients were seen. Conventional antipsychotics were the most prescribed (68%), anticholinergic (62%), tricyclic antidepressants (35%), anticonvulsants (25%), benzodiazepines (8%). SSRIs were given to 2% of patients, while no patient was given an atypical antipsychotic. Physicians did not inquire about patients medical and medication histories, nor perform physical examinations in most cases. Polypharmacy was high, giving rise to significant potential drug-drug interactions in 28% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Prescription practices are far from ideal, and continuing education, as well as development of prescription practice guidelines is suggested. Government intervention and change in clinician attitudes may be needed to improve use of newer medications.