Off-label prescribing of psychotropics in a psychiatric patient population in Australia

Journal article


Kyrios, Mietta, Levido, Jesse, Talbot, Daniel and Harris, Anthony. (2024). Off-label prescribing of psychotropics in a psychiatric patient population in Australia. Australasian Psychiatry. 32(3), pp. 196-200. https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562241237659
AuthorsKyrios, Mietta, Levido, Jesse, Talbot, Daniel and Harris, Anthony
Abstract

Background
This study aimed to investigate the practice of off-label prescribing in both in- and outpatient psychiatry practice.

Methods
One-hundred inpatient and 100 outpatient medical records from adult patients of an Australian psychiatry service from 2020 to 2021 were examined to determine the prevalence of off-label prescribing as defined by Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) indications, adherence to Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) treatment guidelines, frequency of off-label prescription, and the quality of documentation and informed consent process.

Results
Most prescribing events in both in- and outpatient settings were either on-label or off-label but consistent with RANZCP guidelines. Patients with a schizoaffective disorder diagnosis or displaying aggression were most likely to receive off-label prescriptions. There was no significant difference between in- and outpatient groups in the quality of documentation or consent process.

Conclusions
In general, off-label prescribing across groups was common, but many decisions were then in line with RANZCP recommendations. That there is a discrepancy between clinical and regulatory bodies has implications for how off-label status is decided.

Year2024
JournalAustralasian Psychiatry
Journal citation32 (3), pp. 196-200
PublisherSAGE Publications
ISSN1039-8562
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562241237659
PubMed ID38427939
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85186539440
Page range196-200
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online01 Mar 2024
Publication process dates
Deposited13 Jun 2025
Additional information

© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2024.

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