Epidemiological impact of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs on the general population.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the prevalence of and sex and age distribution associated with antidepressant and antipsychotic drug exposure in the general population and to highlight recent epidemiological findings concerning specific adverse outcomes associated with drug exposure.


RESULTS
Epidemiological studies indicate high rates of second-generation antidepressant and antipsychotic drug use in the general population. The use is more prevalent among women than among men, and in older rather than in younger age groups. A new pattern of adverse outcomes has been described in individuals exposed to newer agents, including a possible risk of suicidal acts in adults receiving second-generation antidepressants, the risk of cerebrovascular events in older individuals receiving second-generation antipsychotics and the risk of metabolic disturbances in individuals exposed to specific second-generation antipsychotics.


CONCLUSIONS
The assessment of, and attention to, the development of specific adverse reactions in individuals exposed to second-generation psychotropic drugs may improve treatment outcomes.
Barbui
Corrado
C
Department of Medicine and Public Health, Section of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy.
Percudani
Mauro
M
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents