PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Mohammed A. Al-Sughayir
TI  - Depot antipsychotics. Patient characteristics and prescribing pattern
DP  - 2000 Dec 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1178--1181
VI  - 21
IP  - 12
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/12/1178.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/12/1178.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2000 Dec 01; 21
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To determine the prescribing pattern of depot neuroleptics and the clinical characteristics of patients attending depot clinic.METHODS: A case series of chronic psychotics attending the depot clinic in the day care center at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Riyadh, over 10 years. Data was obtained from hospital records, patients interview and contact with patients' relatives and social workers.RESULTS: The total number of patients was 69 (55% were males). The majority were single schizophrenics between 25 and 45 years. Fifty-one percent of patients lost contact with the service. The Chlorpromazine equivalent depot dose was 188.5 mg/day.CONCLUSION: Patients clinical characteristics were not significant predictors of use or non-compliance with depot neuroleptics. Losing contact with service was very high. Regular internal audits are required.