PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Nathalie Champoux
AU  - Johanne Monette
AU  - Michèle Monette
AU  - Guillaume Galbaud du Fort
AU  - Christina Wolfson
AU  - Jean-Pierre Le Cruguel
TI  - Use of neuroleptics: study of institutionalized elderly people in Montreal, Que.
DP  - 2005 May 01
TA  - Canadian Family Physician
PG  - 696--697
VI  - 51
IP  - 5
4099  - http://www.cfp.ca/content/51/5/696.short
4100  - http://www.cfp.ca/content/51/5/696.full
SO  - Can Fam Physician2005 May 01; 51
AB  - OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of neuroleptic use in long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal, Que, area and to estimate the extent of use of atypical neuroleptics. DESIGN Cross-sectional study in which single-day chart reviews were conducted to evaluate the prevalence of use of conventional and atypical neuroleptics. SETTING Ten long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal area. PARTICIPANTS Two thousand, four hundred sixty residents aged 65 years or older living in 10 long-term care institutions in and around Montreal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Single-day medication profiles compiled by institutions' pharmacists. RESULTS Among patients in the 10 participating institutions, use of neuroleptics ranged from 15% to 37% with a mean of 25.2% (620/2460). Atypical neuroleptics were prescribed to 15.6%, conventional neuroleptics to 7.6%, and a combination of both to 2.0% of the 2460 patients. CONCLUSION Use of neuroleptics was relatively prevalent, and there was wide use of atypical neuroleptics in Montreal-area long-term care institutions. There is little information on the safety and efficacy of these medications for institutionalized elderly people.