Fawad Kaiser.
Prescribing habits, neuroleptic dose equivalencies and electrocardiograms
Rawal Med J Jan - Jun 2005;30(1):19-21.
Department of Psychiatry, Shifa College of Medicine, Islamabad

Objective: To assess how many patients on high dose or mega dose antipsychotic medication had had ECG`s in accordance with the Royal College of Psychiatrists guidelines. Method: A cross-sectional survey of all in patients at a medium secure forensic hospital was performed to see to what extent Royal College guidelines on neuroleptic prescribing were being adhered to. Results: Twenty six (7.3%) patients were found to be on high doses and two (0.6%) on mega doses. Only twenty three percent in the high dose group had an ECG, and 7.7% had one in the previous three months. Conclusions: A small number of patients on high dose antipsychotic medication have their ECG to monitor for the adverse drug effects. It is important that clinicians are aware of this and appropriate measures are taken to ensure patient safety.

Category: Psychiatry
Keywords: ECG. Electrocardiogram. Neuroleptic Drugs. Antipsychotic Drugs.

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