Spontaneous lapses in dosing during chronic treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
BACKGROUND
In previous research, lapses in dosing of paroxetine or sertraline were associated with significantly more discontinuation symptoms and deterioration of depressive symptomatology compared with fluoxetine.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate dosing lapses in patients chronically treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in uncontrolled circumstances.


METHODS
In a prospective observational study we evaluated compliance data in chronic users of SSRIs using electronic drug exposure monitors.


RESULTS
During a 3-month follow-up we found that 50/69 (72.5%) patients missed at least one dosing day and 20/69 (29.0%) missed two or more consecutive days.


CONCLUSIONS
About 30% of patients treated with short-acting SSRIs had dosing lapses of 2 or more days, which, as described in prior studies, is long enough to result in clinically relevant deterioration of mental status.
Meijer
W E
WE
Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacotherapy, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht, The Netherlands. W.E.E.Meijer@pharm.uu.nl
Bouvy
M L
ML
Heerdink
E R
ER
Urquhart
J
J
Leufkens
H G
HG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors