Prevalence, Trends, and Factors Associated With Antipsychotic Polypharmacy Among Medicaid-Eligible Schizophrenia Patients, 1998–2000

Abstract

Antipsychotic polypharmacy is widely prevalent, is prescribed for long durations, and is an increasing phenomenon among Medicaid-eligible schizophrenia patients, indicating a significant discrepancy with treatment guidelines (which do not advocate the use of any poly-pharmacy except for short-term periods when transitioning patients to new antipsychotics). Further research evaluating the effects of antipsychotic polypharmacy in schizophrenia patients may assist in defining the scope and potential of such use.