Psychotropic drugs in ambulatory therapy of aged psychiatric patients

By means of pharmacoepidemiologic method the analysis of therapy in nonsele ctive ambulatory cohort of mentally ill 60-95 year old patients was perform ed during 5 months. Each patient had an epidemiological record, in which th e main demographic, clinical data as well as all the drugs prescribed and t he regimen of their administration were registered. All spectrum of psychot ropic drugs was used for treatment of aged patients. In 80% of the cases tr anquilizers and hypnotic drugs were prescribed, while neuroleptics were pre scribed in 64% of the patients, vasotropic and nootropic preparations - in 32%, antidepressants - in 28%, antiparkinsonic drugs - in 17%, normothymics - in 7%, anticonvulsants - in 2% of the cases. Monotherapy was used in 24% of the cases, two psychotropic drugs were prescribed simultaneously in 31% of the patients, 3 - in 23% and 4 drugs - in 17% of the patients. Age fact or was not significant for the choice of the drug.