title: Trends in the consumption of antidepressants in Castilla y León (Spain). Association between suicide rates and antidepressant drug consumption.
abstract: 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.
authors: Instituto de Farmacoepidemiología, Universidad de Valladolid, Spain.
authors: Luis H Martín
authors: LH
authors: Arias
authors: Carlos Treceño
authors: CT
authors: Lobato
authors: Sara
authors: S
authors: Ortega
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Velasco
authors: Alfonso
authors: A
authors: Carvajal
authors: Javier García
authors: JG
authors: del Pozo
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D008803:Mianserin; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride