Trends in the consumption of antidepressants in Castilla y León (Spain). Association between suicide rates and antidepressant drug consumption.
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.
Arias
Luis H Martín
LH
Instituto de Farmacoepidemiología, Universidad de Valladolid, Spain.
Lobato
Carlos Treceño
CT
Ortega
Sara
S
Velasco
Alfonso
A
Carvajal
Alfonso
A
del Pozo
Javier García
JG
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016208:Databases, Factual; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008803:Mianserin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D008803:Mianserin; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride