@article{ref1,
title="Trends in the consumption of antidepressants in Castilla y León (Spain). Association between suicide rates and antidepressant drug consumption",
journal="Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety",
year="2010",
author="Arias, Luis H. Martín and Lobato, Carlos Treceño and Ortega, Sara and Velasco, Alfonso and Carvajal, Alfonso and del Pozo, Javier García",
volume="19",
number="9",
pages="895-900",
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.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1053-8569",
doi="10.1002/pds.1944",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pds.1944"
}