Conclusions : International differences in prescriber behaviour may influence , and in turn be influenced by , the conduct of clinical trials .
Objective : International differences are thought to exist in dosages used by clinicians treating mood disorders .
This study examined international dosage differences in antidepressant clinical trials , using a data base formed and maintained as a component of a Cochrane review of comparative clinical trials of fluoxetine .
Prescribing second-generation antipsychotics and the evolving standard of care in Italy.
The present study was carried out to investigate the routine use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs in the Italian psychiatric care system . Seven outpatient psychiatric services enrolled a consecutive case series of patients who were being treated , or had started treatment , with clozapine , olanzapine , risperidone , or quetiapine .  Information on sociodemographic and clinical variables , current psychotropic drug use , side-effects and past use of typical drugs was collected . In addition , patient symptoms and functional status were evaluated by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale . Patients receiving off-label prescribing of second-generation antipsychotics were identified . A total of 209 patients were collected . In comparison with patients receiving other second-generation antipsychotics , living in residential facilities , unemployment , long psychiatric histories , and problems with activities of daily living and living conditions were more common in clozapine-treated patients . Nearly 80 % of patients receiving clozapine had schizophrenia compared to less than 50 % of those receiving other second-generation antipsychotics . Overall , 109 patients ( 52 % ) received off-label prescriptions of second-generation antipsychotic drugs . This survey indicates that clozapine was mostly reserved for severe cases and poor responders ; the high rate of off-label prescriptions highlights the gap existing between recommendations derived from r and omised clinical trials and the current use of drugs
Conclusions : International differences in prescriber behaviour may influence , and in turn be influenced by , the conduct of clinical trials .
Objective : International differences are thought to exist in dosages used by clinicians treating mood disorders .
This study examined international dosage differences in antidepressant clinical trials , using a data base formed and maintained as a component of a Cochrane review of comparative clinical trials of fluoxetine .