Psychotropic drug

About: Psychotropic drug is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2309 publications have been published within this topic receiving 54070 citations.

Use and cost of psychotropic drugs among recipients with autism in a state Medicaid fee-for-service programme.

Abstract: Background There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of autism in the USA in the past few decades. The purpose of this study was to provide recent estimates of psychotropic drug use and costs among individuals with autism enrolled in Medicaid programme. Method A cross-sectional analysis of 2007 Mississippi (MS) Medicaid fee-for-service (FFS) programme administrative-claims data was performed. Study sample included recipients (<65 years) who had a medical services claim with a diagnosis of autism in 2007. Psychotropic drug patterns of use and costs were studied. Factors predicting the use of psychotropic drugs were identified using logistic regression analyses. Average number and cost of psychotropic drug claims per recipient were reported. Costs were reported from the perspective of MS Medicaid. Results In 2007, there were 1330 recipients with a diagnosis of autism in MS Medicaid FFS programme. Among these recipients, 66.32% had a claim for psychotropic drug during the year. Roughly 39% of recipients with autism had a claim for antipsychotics, 31.58% for stimulants, 19.55% for antidepressants, 19.40% for other psychotropics and 14.81% for anxiolytics/hypnotics/sedatives. Results from regression analyses highlighted variation in psychotropic drug use by demographic and co-morbid factors. There were a total of 12 618 claims for psychotropic drugs filled by recipients with autism in 2007, at an average of 14 (±12) claims per recipient. The total cost of these claims paid for by MS Medicaid FFS programme was ∼$2 million. Antipsychotics accounted for more than half (∼58%) of the total costs, and had the highest average cost per claim ($291 ± 205). Conclusions The results of this study indicate a high use of psychotropic drugs among individuals with autism enrolled in a state Medicaid programme. There is an urgent need to study the risk–benefit profile of these drugs in this growing population. Psychotropic drug use was found to vary by demographic and co-morbid factors. Among the different classes of psychotropic drugs, antipsychotics were the most commonly used and had the highest cost per claim.

Ischaemic colitis associated with psychotropic drugs.

Abstract: Two cases of patients with ischaemic colitis requiring operative treatment are presented. Both had received a commonly used psychotropic drug in large dosage before the acute episode. Evidence is produced which may link the drugs used with the condition of ischaemic colitis.

Implementation of an Interdisciplinary Psychotropic Drug Review Process for Community-Based Facilities.

Abstract: A continuing psychotropic drug review process developed and implemented in 1986 by a community-based agency serving individuals with mental retardation was described. This process has proven to be a feasible and effective system that has taken into account the practical realities of integration into the community and the use of community-based resources. The goals of establishing data-based interdisciplinary team review, utilizing concurrent alternative treatments, and prescribing psychotropic medication at the lowest effective dosage only to those individuals for whom it proves to make a positive difference have been met. For the residents of the agency's facilities, this process has led to a low psychotropic utilization rate of 17%. Dosage levels have been reduced for 75% of the individuals who have been prescribed psychotropic medication.

Interaction of glutathione depletion and psychotropic drug treatment in prepulse inhibition in rats and mice.

Abstract: Oxidative stress has been implicated in several psychiatric illnesses, including schizophrenia. Glutathione is the brain's primary antioxidant and decreased levels of brain glutathione are reported in schizophrenia. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a measure of sensory gating, and PPI is reduced in schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of brain glutathione depletion on PPI regulation. Rats and mice were treated with the glutathione-depleting agent, 2-cyclohexene-1-one (CHX), and tested for baseline PPI and its disruption by treatment with amphetamine and MK-801. Treatment with CHX caused significant depletion of GSH in frontal cortex and striatum of rats and mice. Baseline PPI and startle were not altered. However, the disruption of PPI after treatment with amphetamine was absent in CHX-treated rats. In contrast, the effect of MK-801 was not altered by CHX-treatment, nor was there any effect of CHX treatment in mice. These data show an interaction of glutathione depletion with the effects of amphetamine treatment on PPI in rats. This effect could reflect loss of plasticity in PPI regulation caused by the additive effects of CHX-induced glutathione depletion and additional oxidative stress caused by amphetamine-induced dopamine release. The significance of these results for schizophrenia is discussed.