This study describes a survey of the drugs prescribed to long-term psychiatric patients and psychogeriatric patients in ten Norwegian psychiatric hospitals. Of 1,124 patients, 12% received no psychotropic drugs and 14% were given a combination of more than three psychotropic drugs. Of 872 patients given neuroleptics, 81% received antipsychotic medication with low-dose neuroleptics and 27% received depot-neuroleptics. Hypnotics and minor tranquillizers were commonly prescribed together with neuroleptics and antidepressants. Anti-parkinsonian drugs were prescribed for 37% of those receiving neuroleptics. Neuroleptics, minor tranquillizers and anti-parkinsonian drugs were commonly given three times a day. The prescription pattern differed between the hospitals. Guidelines are suggested for more rational use of psychotropic drugs.