Antidepressant utilization in managed care: an evaluation of SSRI use in two HMO settings

Antidepressant costs and utilization are growing rapidly as newer selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) comprise an ever-increasing share of the market. A number of factors and related costs must be considered when evaluating antidepressant products. An antidepressant drug utilization review study performed in two different HMO models revealed important variations among available SSRI therapies in terms of dosage escalation and discontinuation, as well as concomitant medication costs associated with treating side effects. New antidepressants may alleviate some of these problems.