title: Use of serotonergic antidepressants and St John's wort in older Australians: a population-based cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study investigated the use of serotonergic antidepressants (SSRIs: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; SNRIs: serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) and St John's wort in a large NSW-based community sample, and sought to identify a potentially dangerous concomitant use of these medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data from 266,848 participants from the '45 and Up' study were used. The questionnaire captures self-reported treatment for depression or anxiety and antidepressant medications in the last four weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  5.8% of participants received treatment for depression or anxiety, with 4.7% taking an SSRI and 1.3% an SNRI. St John's wort was taken by 0.3% of the participants. Use of SSRIs and SNRIs was reported more frequently by females than males (respectively, 64.1% vs 35.9%, 66.9% vs 33.1%). The gender difference was even more pronounced for St John's wort (75.6% vs. 24.4%). Use of antidepressants decreased after the age of 65 years. One hundred and forty people reported concurrent use of an SSRI and an SNRI, and 11 people of an SSRI with St John's wort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Around 7% of the study population aged 45-65 years reported the use of SSRIs or SNRIs, decreasing to 5% above 70 years of age. It is of concern that some individuals used an SSRI concurrently with St John's wort.
authors: Aligarh Muslim University, India.
authors: Syed Ziaur
authors: SZ
authors: Rahman
authors: Jim
authors: J
authors: Basilakis
authors: Anton
authors: A
authors: Rahmadi
authors: Sanja
authors: S
authors: Lujic
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Musgrave
authors: Louisa
authors: L
authors: Jorm
authors: Phillipa
authors: P
authors: Hay
authors: Gerald
authors: G
authors: Münch
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D028321:Plant Preparations; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: Hypericum perforatum; St John’s wort; antidepressants; drug interactions; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors