Psychotropic medicines to patients with mental retardation

BACKGROUND: Psychotropic drugs are widely used by mentally retarded persons. Our aim was to describe changes in prescription practice and use of such drugs after patients were moved from institutions to community care. METHOD: 101 individuals with mental retardation, previously living in institutions, were included in our study. Their caregivers were requested to answer a questionnaire. RESULTS: 44% of the study population were taking psychotropic medication; the most commonly used were antipsychotic drugs. Psychiatric disorders and behaviour problems were the most common reasons for prescriptions. The effects and side effects were in most cases not recorded. Other types of treatment, such as analysis and adaptation of environmental factors, were seldom used. Specialists in habilitation and psychiatry were rarely involved in the treatment. INTERPRETATION: Many individuals with mental retardation use psychotropic drugs. The survey indicates an increased use of these drugs after patients moving from institutions to community care. It also seems that treatment given at the institution was continued. Psychotropic drug treatment is complicated and should be handled by specialists in psychiatry or habilitation.