[Use of new antidepressive agents in general practice]

There is much discussion about the use of the new antidepressant drugs. Some advocate a more liberal use while others criticize overprescribing. Our study examines the indication, dosage and length of treatment in five family practices. Records of 208 patients prescribed one of three new antidepressants in 1995 were reviewed. 90% had depression or anxiety while 10% received medication for pain or for other symptoms. Dosage and median length of treatment were in accordance with recommended guidelines. However, a number of patients discontinue their medication within a month of start of treatment. The study did not examine the reason for this, but side effects or lack of effect are possible explanations. 36 patients were treated for a year or longer and we raise the question whether abstinence-like symptoms or the physicians prescribing practice can explain this finding. The article also examines the increased sale of the new antidepressants in Norway and in Aust-Agder county specifically, the county in Norway with the largest per capita sale of these drugs.