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Patient perspectives on once-weekly fluoxetine.
1Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, Ind 46285, USA.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|October 16, 2001
Summary
Weekly antidepressant dosing may improve treatment adherence for major depressive disorder patients. Patients prefer weekly options for convenience and reduced feelings of dependency, potentially extending therapy completion rates.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Patient Adherence
Background:
- Continuation therapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) is recommended for 4-9 months.
- Long-term maintenance therapy is advised for severe, recurrent MDD.
- Many patients do not complete adequate antidepressant therapy courses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate patient perceptions of antidepressant dosing.
- To determine if weekly dosing can improve antidepressant treatment compliance.
Main Methods:
- Anonymous patient profiles and questionnaires were completed by physicians.
- Telephone surveys were conducted with clinically depressed patients in the US and France.
Main Results:
- Patients preferred physician involvement in medication choice and disliked daily dosing.
- Patients found weekly dosing more convenient and felt less dependent on medication.
- Patients perceived more advantages than disadvantages with weekly pill intake.
Conclusions:
- Weekly antidepressant dosing may be an effective tool for managing depression.
- Offering weekly dosing could help patients adhere to continuation or maintenance therapy longer.