Why people do not take their psychotropic drugs as prescribed: results of the 2000 National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence and determinants of the reasons given for non-adherence to psychiatric medication in a representative community survey. METHOD: We used data for all participants taking oral psychotropic medication (n = 634) from the 2000 British Survey of National Psychiatric Morbidity. RESULTS: Of participants interviewed, 217 (34.2%) reported incomplete adherence to their psychiatric medication. Reasons given included forgetting, losing, running out (37.4%); thinking medication unnecessary (24.6%); reluctance to take drugs (18.9%) and side-effects (14.2%). Those giving forgetfulness or side-effects as reasons were younger. Side-effects were reported more frequently by people with a lower IQ or with psychosis. Those taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors were more likely to forget to take their medication. CONCLUSION: Two-fifths of people reported that missing their medication was a decision taken because they did not want it or think it necessary. Side-effects are a relatively uncommon reason for under-medication. Our results have implications for interventions to assist adherence.