Factors associated with the successful or unsuccessful withdrawal of antipsychotic drug therapy prescribed for people with learning disabilities.

Many published accounts of drug review programmes have reported reductions in the prescribing of psychotropic drugs prescribed for people with learning disabilities. Rarely though has the outcome for the patient been reported. The Leicestershire antipsychotic drug review programme resulted in antipsychotic drug dose reduction or withdrawal in 123 patients. Data relating to outcomes were analysed in order to identify factors associated with successful withdrawal. Few such factors were identified. The successful withdrawal of antipsychotic drug treatment (31 patients) was associated with low doses, predominantly of the drug thioridazine, minimal psychopathology, the presence of epilepsy, and the lack of hyperactivity, aggression of stereotypy.