JOURNAL ARTICLE
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Psychotropic polypharmacy for the treatment of bipolar disorder in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: Psychotropic polypharmacy in the treatment of bipolar disorder has proliferated. Yet evidence about the prevalence and predictors of different combinations of polypharmacy in inpatient settings is scarce.

METHODS: The Nationwide Psychiatric Inpatient Medical Claims (2000-2007) in Taiwan were used to examine prescriptions for mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants among recently discharged patients with bipolar disorder (N=5,449; 51% women, mean±SD age=36.8±12.4).

RESULTS: A total of 71% of prescriptions involved between-class polypharmacy, and 17% involved within-class polypharmacy. Patients older than 50 and patients at medical centers (>500 beds) were less likely to receive polypharmacy. Lower prescribed doses predicted polypharmacy. Receiving polypharmacy was not associated with a higher rate of readmission within one year.

CONCLUSIONS: There was substantial use of various forms of polypharmacy in the treatment of inpatients with bipolar disorder. Randomized studies should be used to compare the cost-effectiveness of common psychotropic combinations and monotherapy to treat bipolar disorder.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app