Analysis of long-term use of neuroleptics among the elderly in a Swedish community.
DESIGN:
Cohort study, three-year follow-up period.
SETTING:
Primary care.
PATIENTS:
All people aged 65 years or older who used neuroleptics in 1984.
RESULTS:
Neuroleptic use was fairly common among elderly and continued long-term use was relatively frequent. One third of long-term users obtained doses exceeding a recommended dosage range. Prescribed doses were seldom changed during the study period.
CONCLUSIONS:
The high proportion of long-term users and the stability of the prescribed doses indicate that there is a need for more information to be made available to prescribers regarding the risks of long-term use of neuroleptics in primary care.
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