Trends in the consumption of antidepressants in Castilla y León (Spain). Association between suicide rates and antidepressant drug consumption

• Published in: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety Vol. 19; no. 9; pp. 895 - 900
• Main Authors: Martín Arias, Luis H., Lobato, Carlos Treceño, Ortega, Sara, Velasco, Alfonso, Carvajal, Alfonso, del Pozo, Javier García
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.09.2010
• Subjects: affective disorders; Antidepressive Agents - economics; Antidepressive Agents - pharmacology; Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use; antidepressives; Cyclohexanols - therapeutic use; Databases, Factual; Drug Costs; Humans; lithium; Lithium Compounds - therapeutic use; Mianserin - analogs & derivatives; Mianserin - therapeutic use; pharmacoepidemiology; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Spain - epidemiology; suicide; Suicide - statistics & numerical data; Suicide - trends; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; Spain
• ISSN: 1053-8569; 1099-1557; 1099-1557
• DOI: 10.1002/pds.1944

Objective To learn the evolution of antidepressant and lithium use in Castilla y León (Central Spain) and its relationship with suicide rates. Methods A search in the ECOM (Especialidades Consumo de Medicamentos) database of the Spanish Ministry of Health for antidepressants and lithium was carried out for the period 1992–2005. Defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day were obtained as consumption data. Population and suicide rates data come from the Spanish National Statistics Institute. Results Antidepressant consumption increased 7‐fold, from 6.9 DDD per 1000 inhabitants per day in 1992 to 47.3 in 2005; the corresponding increase in cost was more than 10‐fold. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) comprised 77% of the total consumption. Venlafaxine consumption multiplied by 2.2. The consumption of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) decreased after venlafaxine and mirtazapine were marketed. Lithium consumption increased by 76% during the period studied, but it plateaued in 2000. Conclusions The consumption of antidepressants in Castilla y León has increased remarkably and the pattern has changed; there is an increase in the consumption of the new and more expensive antidepressants such as venlafaxine and escitalopram. No association was observed between suicide rates and antidepressant consumption. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.