scholarly journals Analysis of antidepressant prescribing tendencies in Lithuania in 2003–2004

Medicina ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Mantas Jakimavičius ◽  
Audrius Sveikata ◽  
Paulius Vainauskas ◽  
Rimas Jankūnas ◽  
Loreta Mikučionytė ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Duration Of Treatment ◽  
Defined Daily Doses ◽  
Antidepressant Use

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, affecting 121 million people in whole world. In many developed countries, the number of prescriptions for antidepressants increased steeply during the 1990s. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antidepressant prescribing patterns in all regions of Lithuania during 2003–2004, to analyze the use within different antidepressant groups, and to examine trends in age- and gender-specific antidepressant use. Antidepressants were classified into three groups according to Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification specifying the defined daily doses. The results of our study show an increase in the use of reimbursed antidepressants except tricyclic in 2004 when compared to 2003. Increase in the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other nontricyclic antidepressants is probably related to their better tolerability, improved risk-benefit ratio, and less toxicity in overdose. There was no increase in the percentage of consumed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in elderly patients when compared with younger ones, despite elderly patients are most likely to benefit from reduced sedation, less antimuscarinic and less cardiac toxicity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The prevalence of the antidepressant use is the highest among middle-aged people (40–59 years), while the young (under 20) and elderly (older than 70) patients receive mostly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Additional studies should be carried out in order to assess drug-prescribing patterns in accordance with the guidelines of depression treatment in Lithuania considering diagnosis, dosage, and duration of treatment.

The Impact of Trends in Psychotropic Prescribing on the Method of Suicide in the Elderly

2005 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Shah ◽  
Lubbaba Lodhi
Keyword(s):  
Psychotropic Drugs ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Hypnotics And Sedatives ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Elderly Suicide

Suicide rates in the elderly have declined in many countries in recent years. This decline has been reported to be associated with increased prescribing of antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), antipsychotics and antimanic drugs and reduced prescribing of barbiturates, hypnotics and sedatives. This study examined the relationship between prescribing patterns of individual psychotropic drugs and suicide rates by specific methods of elderly suicides. There was a negative correlation between the prescription of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, antimanic drugs and non-opiate analgesics and a decline in elderly suicide rates due to poisoning by solid and liquid substances, hanging, strangulation and suffocation, drowning, firearms and explosives, and jumping from high places. There was a positive correlation between the prescription of barbiturates, hypnotics and sedatives and elderly suicide rates due to poisoning by solid and liquid substances, hanging, strangulation and suffocation, drowning, firearms and explosives, and jumping from high places. This study demonstrated that changes in prescribing patterns of individual psychotropic drugs do influence elderly suicide rates of the commonly used methods of suicide and suggest that this may be due to more accurate diagnostic-specific prescribing of psychotropic drugs.

scholarly journals Antipsychotic discontinuation after the initiation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors therapy for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 122-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Mathys ◽  
Steven Fang ◽  
Jini John ◽  
Jasmine Carter
Keyword(s):  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Mood Stabilizers ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
Additional Patient ◽  
Alzheimer Dementia ◽  
Antidepressant Use ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Abstract Introduction: Antipsychotics are used off label to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Due to the emerging data of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treatment of BPSD, clinicians may choose to use this medication class instead of antipsychotics when pharmacologic therapy is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of antipsychotic discontinuation 6 months after SSRI initiation for the treatment of BPSD. Methods: Patients with Alzheimer dementia who were prescribed an antipsychotic and later prescribed an SSRI for BPSD during January 1, 2009, through December 30, 2014, were studied. Exclusion criteria included (1) a dementia diagnosis besides Alzheimer; (2) scheduled benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, or non-SSRI antidepressant use during the study period; (3) diagnoses of bipolar or psychotic disorders; and (4) diagnosis of delirium during the study period. Patients' age, sex, race, and functional assessment of staging for Alzheimer disease scores were collected. The names, doses, and stop dates of SSRIs and antipsychotics were also recorded. Results: Thirty-six patients were included in the analyses. Overall, antipsychotic use was reduced in 11 patients (30.6%). Ten patients (27.8%) discontinued the antipsychotic, and 1 additional patient had a reduction in dose. When comparing specific SSRIs, 8 (72%) responders were prescribed citalopram, and 15 (60%) nonresponders were prescribed sertraline. Discussion: Approximately 30% of patients with Alzheimer dementia who were prescribed antipsychotics for BPSD were able to discontinue the medication or had a dose reduction after starting SSRI therapy. Most SSRI responders were prescribed citalopram.

scholarly journals Trends in the use of antidepressants among older adults: Bambuí Project

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 857-865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antônio Ignácio de Loyola Filho ◽  
Érico Castro-Costa ◽  
Josélia Oliveira Araújo Firmo ◽  
Sérgio Viana Peixoto
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Selective Serotonin ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Antidepressant Use

OBJECTIVE To analyze the trends and factors associated with the antidepressant use among older adults. METHODS This population-based study evaluated older adults in 1997 (n = 351, baseline) and the survivors at the 15th follow-up year (n = 462, in 2012) among the aging cohort of Bambuí. The prevalence of antidepressant use was estimated, and the most commonly used antidepressants each year were identified. Prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance to investigate differences in the prevalence of use between 1997 and 2012. RESULTS The overall consumption of antidepressants (PR = 2.87, 95%CI 1.94;4.25) and of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (PR = 7.50, 95%CI 3.74;15.02) was significantly higher in 2012. However, no significant difference was observed in the use of tricyclic antidepressants between the two cohorts (PR = 0.89, 95%CI 0.49;1.62). In the 2012 cohort, antidepressant use was associated with females, increased age, increased income (≥ 4 minimum wages), self-assessment of health as reasonable, and attending ≥ 5 medical consultations in the last 12 months. CONCLUSIONS The increased consumption of antidepressants in the period due to increased use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors was consistent with results observed in international studies of different population groups and contexts. The positive correlation observed between antidepressant use and family income may be a warning of possible inequalities in access to mental health services.

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