BJPsych Open,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
11(2)
Published: March 1, 2025
The
COVID-19
pandemic
and
lockdowns
had
a
significant
impact
on
mental
well-being
(mental)
healthcare
systems
globally.
To
describe
trends
dynamics
of
out-patient
prescribing
psychotropic
medications
during
the
in
Netherlands.
Dispensed
medication
prescriptions
from
March
2020
to
2022
were
retrieved
national
registry
data.
Numbers
total
incident
dispensed
defined
daily
doses
(DDDs)
identified
for
six
groups.
Overall
pandemic-related
changes
analysed
using
interrupted
time-series
analyses.
Lockdown-related
described
monthly
risk
ratios.
No
overall
detected,
except
alcohol
addiction
medication,
which
pre-pandemic
decline
DDDs
levelled
off
pandemic:
+10
per
week
(95%
CI
7-11,
P
≤
0.001)
+111
56-165,
=
0.001).
Monthly
showed
transient
increases
all
groups
second
third
lockdown
periods.
There
decreases
antidepressant
opioid
first
(average
ratios:
0.87
0.88
respectively),
attention-deficit
hyperactivity
disorder
benzodiazepine
elevated
end
1.40,
1.12
1.17,
respectively).
These
findings
raise
concerns
regarding
possible
over-
under-prescribing
pandemic.
Further
understanding
specific
factors
driving
these
is
necessary
help
prepare
future
health(care)
challenges.
Environmental Microbiology,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
24(11), P. 5261 - 5276
Published: Aug. 12, 2022
Antibiotic
resistance
is
a
global
concern
threatening
public
health.
Horizontal
gene
transfer
(HGT)
between
bacterial
species
contributes
greatly
to
the
dissemination
of
antibiotic
resistance.
Conjugation
one
major
HGT
pathways
responsible
for
spread
genes
(ARGs).
Antidepressant
drugs
are
commonly
prescribed
antipsychotics
depressive
disorders
and
frequently
detected
in
aquatic
environments.
However,
little
known
about
how
antidepressants
stress
bacteria
whether
such
effect
can
promote
conjugation.
Here,
we
report
that
antidepressants,
sertraline,
duloxetine,
fluoxetine,
bupropion,
conjugative
plasmid-borne
multidrug
carried
by
environmentally
clinically
relevant
plasmids.
Noteworthy,
plasmids
across
genera
significantly
enhanced
at
concentrations.
We
also
reveal
underlying
mechanisms
employing
flow
cytometric
analysis,
genome-wide
RNA
sequencing
proteomic
analysis.
Antidepressants
induce
production
reactive
oxygen
SOS
response,
increase
cell
membrane
permeability,
upregulate
expression
conjugation
genes.
Given
contribution
ARGs,
our
findings
highlight
importance
prudent
prescription
potential
connection
increasing
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
19(8), P. 4782 - 4782
Published: April 14, 2022
The
main
objective
of
this
research
was
to
analyze
whether
there
were
changes
in
the
use
antidepressants,
anxiolytics,
and
hypnotic-sedative
drugs,
context
primary
health
care,
during
COVID-19
pandemic
compared
pre-pandemic
period.
We
further
sought
study
consumption
vulnerable
population
groups.A
cross-sectional
observational
performed
a
district
Spain.
data
obtained
from
Andalusian
Public
Health
System
database,
for
pre-COVID-19
period,
March
2019
February
2020,
2020
2021.
Univariant
bivariant
analyses
performed.
effect
size
measured
using
Rosenthal
test.While
total
number
medical
prescriptions
decreased
by
2.5%
psychiatric
drugs
increased
6.1%.
increase
dose
per
1000
inhabitants
(DHD)
highest
anxiolytics
(7.2%),
followed
hypnotic-sedatives
(5.6%)
antidepressants
(3.7%).
sedative-hypnotic
higher
women,
older
people,
rural
areas
lower
with
social
transformation
needs,
these
differences
being
statistically
significant.The
has
over
pandemic,
especially
areas.
Thus,
we
should
reflect
on
adequate
drugs.
Frontiers in Environmental Science,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
10
Published: Dec. 16, 2022
Pharmaceuticals
are
essential
for
human
health,
but
they
become
an
environmental
concern
when
entering
the
environment
which
occurs
residues
excreted
after
consumption
or
unused
pharmaceuticals
discarded
improperly.
Although
there
no
developed
detection
methods
all
that
reach
ecosystem,
certain
groups
have
been
proven
to
cause
adverse
effects
on
ecosystems,
including
increased
mortality
in
aquatic
species
and
changes
physiology,
behavior,
reproduction.
Particular
attention
is
devoted
these
of
their
impact.
In
this
review,
authors
suggest
measures
reduction
environment,
with
a
strong
emphasis
prevention.
Various
policy
interventions
recommended
across
lifecycle
source-directed,
user-orientated,
waste
management
measures,
prevent
creation
household
pharmaceutical
ensure
environmentally
friendly
ways
disposal.
Preventive
include
rational
consumption,
prescribing
greener
drugs,
designing
benign
easily
biodegradable,
improved
disease
prevention,
personalized
medicine,
enhanced
dimensioning
pack
sizes,
marketplaces
redistribution
pharmaceuticals.
The
next
step
unavoidable
so
proper
collection
disposal
utmost
importance.
Finally,
educating
health
professionals
public
partnership
between
healthcare
scientists
vital
significance
stages
pharmaceuticals’
lifecycle.
Minimalization
level
will
benefit
life.
Journal of Affective Disorders,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
323, P. 292 - 298
Published: Nov. 25, 2022
To
study
patterns
of
antidepressant,
anxiolytic,
and
hypnotic
drug
utilization
in
Denmark,
Norway,
Sweden
during
the
first
year
COVID-19
pandemic.The
monthly
observed
number
prescription
fills
antidepressants,
benzodiazepines
benzodiazepine-related
hypnotics
(BZ),
other
anxiolytics
(OAH)
per
population
2020
were
compared
with
predicted
numbers
based
on
analysis
covariance
2015-2019.In
March
2020,
there
was
an
increased
for
anxiolytics,
youths
adults
aged
20-59
years
Sweden.
Antidepressant
between
13.5
%
31.3
at
end
all
age
groups
Denmark
17.4
Norway.
BZ
by
20.8
group
decreased
16.7
A
general
increase
OAH
countries
(range
24.0-80.0
11.5-30.8
9.1-12.1
Sweden).
Increases
occurred
earlier
Denmark.Aggregated
data
lack
information
indications.Peaks
may
reflect
medication
stock
piling.
Increased
antidepressant
Norwegian
together
Scandinavian
late
indicate
symptoms
depression
anxiety,
as
well
disturbed
sleep.
Psychiatric Quarterly,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: March 3, 2025
Abstract
The
present
study
aims
to
analyze
country-specific
antidepressant
consumption
rates
across
30
OECD
countries,
comparing
them
with
the
average
from
2010
2020.
This
analysis
examines
annual
variations
in
and
identifies
potential
trends
over
time.
Using
a
retrospective
observational
design,
employs
pooled
secondary
data
countries.
A
time
trend
was
conducted
assess
overall
linear
quadratic
trends,
modeling
variation
Defined
Daily
Dose
(DDD)
per
1,000
inhabitants
Findings
reveal
significant
increase
most
mean
DDD
value
rose
52.42
69.5
Three
distinct
patterns
emerged:
linear,
concave,
convex.
While
15
countries
exhibited
increase,
five
showed
plateauing
trend,
others
experienced
exponential
growth
convex
trajectory.
Denmark
only
country
show
decline
consumption,
whereas
Norway
displayed
no
change
These
results
underscore
notable
rise
use
alongside
trajectories.
By
assessing
national
rates,
this
highlights
importance
of
international
collaboration
addressing
mental
health
challenges
optimizing
healthcare
accessibility
outcomes.
Frontiers in Genetics,
Journal Year:
2021,
Volume and Issue:
12
Published: Sept. 22, 2021
In
psychiatry,
the
selection
of
antipsychotics
and
antidepressants
is
generally
led
by
a
trial-and-error
approach.
The
prescribing
these
medications
complicated
sub-optimal
efficacy
high
rates
adverse
drug
reactions
(ADRs).
These
both
contribute
to
poor
levels
adherence.
Pharmacogenetics
(PGx)
considers
how
genetic
variation
can
influence
an
individual’s
response
drug.
Pharmacogenetic
testing
tool
that
could
aid
clinicians
when
selecting
psychotropic
medications,
as
part
more
personalized
approach
prescribing.
This
may
improve
use
adherence
medications.
Yet
date,
implementation
PGx
in
mental
health
environments
United
Kingdom
has
been
slow.
review
aims
identify
current
barriers
enablers
psychiatry
determine
this
be
applied
uptake
NHS
providers.
A
systematic
searching
strategy
was
developed,
searches
were
carried
out
on
PsychInfo,
EmBase,
PubMed
databases,
yielding
11
appropriate
papers.
Common
included
cost,
concerns
over
incorporation
into
workflow
lack
knowledge
about
PGx;
whilst
frequent
optimism
lead
precision
medicine,
reduce
ADRs
become
routine
psychiatric
clinical
care.
care
settings
should
consider
overcome
barriers,
while
looking
capitalize
identified
review.
Psychological Medicine,
Journal Year:
2022,
Volume and Issue:
53(11), P. 4943 - 4951
Published: June 10, 2022
Abstract
Background
The
COVID-19
pandemic
has
been
associated
with
increased
levels
of
depression
and
anxiety
implications
for
the
use
antidepressant
medications.
Methods
incident
rate
fills
before
during
were
compared
using
interrupted
time-series
analysis
followed
by
comprehensive
sensitivity
analyses
on
data
derived
from
electronic
medical
records
a
large
health
management
organization
providing
nationwide
services
to
14%
Israeli
population.
dataset
covered
period
1
January
2013
February
2021,
March
2020
onwards
defined
as
pandemic.
Forecasting
was
implemented
test
effect
vaccine
roll-out
easing
social
restrictions
use.
Results
sample
consisted
852
233
persons
total
fill
count
139
535.4
(total
cumulative
per
100
000
=
16
372.91,
95%
CI
287.19–16
459.01).
We
calculated
proportion
prescription
period,
counterfactual
same
assuming
had
not
occurred.
difference
in
these
proportions
significant
[Cohen's
h
10
−3
(0.16),
(
−
0.71
1.03)].
increase
slope
(slope
change
0.01,
0.00–0.03;
p
0.04)
monthly
2%
(the
estimated
no
occurred).
more
pronounced
women,
modified
lockdown
on/off
periods,
socioeconomic
or
SARS-CoV-2
status.
observed
similar
that
forecasted
under
assumption
ongoing
distress.
Conclusion
These
findings
underscore
toll
mental
inform
policy
service
delivery
after
implementing
attenuation
strategies.
