[Trends in the utilization of antidepressant drugs in the Rioja and Zamora health districts throughout the 1997-2001 period].
BACKGROUND
Due to the high increase in the utilization of antidepressant drugs and the change in the prescription profile within this group, this study is aimed at discovering the evolution of the utilization of antidepressant drugs (NO6A subgroup) outside of the hospital setting in the Rioja and Zamora health districts throughout the 1997-2001 period and to evaluate the impact of the new drugs.


METHODS
A study was made of the utilization of drugs included in the NO6A treatment subgroup under the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. The data on the utilization of each specialty was taken from the pharmacy management (SIFAR) software applications and has been stated for each active ingredient in Daily Dose per Inhabitant (DDI).


RESULTS
In the period under study, there was an increase in the total utilization of antidepressants in the two areas (Zamora 55% and Rioja 93%) due mainly to the increase in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) (Zamora 80% and Rioja 143%) and in the new heterocyclic antidepressants (Zamora 82% and Rioja 78%).


CONCLUSIONS
There has been an increase in the utilization of antidepressants, all of which has taken place in conjunction with a change in the prescription profile. There is a clear shift toward the utilization of the SSRI's and some heterocyclic antidepressants (venlafaxine, trazodone, reboxetine), the utilization of tricyclic antidepressants and IMAO's having decreased.
Sainz de Rozas Aparicio
Carlos
C
Servicio de Farmacia, Complejo Hospitalario San Millán San Pedro, Logroño. csainz@hsm.seris.es
Ruiz Clavijo Díez
Maria Teresa
MT
Díaz Madero
Alfonso
A
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain
D000928:Antidepressive Agents