Prescribing of Antipsychotic Medication in a Medicaid Population: Use of Polytherapy and Off-Label Dosages

Abstract

In this subpopulation of Medicaid enrollees who were prescribed antipsychotic medications, we found a 10% incidence of use of antipsychotic polytherapy and a 33% incidence of prescribing of dosages outside the range listed in the product labeling. These findings suggest that physicians commonly prescribe antipsychotic medications in a manner that differs from the recommendations described in the prescribing information. The off-label use of atypical antipsychotic medications raises important questions regarding the purpose and applicability of the product labeling and the role and ability of the pharmacist to provide information regarding the risks and benefits of therapy as commonly prescribed.