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Antidepressant Prescribing in England: Patterns and Costs
Adrian H Heald1,2,3, Mike Stedman4, Mark Davies4
1Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester M6 8HD, UK. adrian.heald@manchester.ac.uk.
The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders
|April 18, 2020
Summary
Antidepressant prescriptions have nearly doubled, with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) being the most common. General practices primarily prescribe SSRIs, aligning with health guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- General Practice
- Public Health
Background:
- Antidepressant (AD) prescriptions have nearly doubled in England and Wales over the last decade.
- Understanding current prescribing patterns in general practice is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the prescribing rates of various antidepressants within general practice settings.
- To analyze prescribing behavior from April 2017 to March 2018.
Main Methods:
- Collected monthly prescribing data from general practices.
- Examined British National Formulary codes, prescription numbers, quantities, and costs.
- Analyzed prescribing practices based on collated data.
Main Results:
- 2.1 billion doses of antidepressants were prescribed to 52 million people.
- 11% of the population took at least one antidepressant daily.
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most prescribed class, with sertraline being the most common SSRI. Citalopram, fluoxetine, and mirtazapine were also frequently prescribed.
Conclusions:
- Prescribing trends largely align with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, emphasizing SSRIs.
- Regular audits at the general practice level are recommended for targeted and evidence-based medication use.
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