Author/Editor		Fuerst, Jurij; Kocmur, Margareta
Title		Use of psychiatric drugs in Slovenia in comparison to Scandinavian countries
Type		članek
Source		Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf
Vol. and No.		Letnik 12, št. 5
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 399-403
Language		eng
Abstract		Purpose: To find out consumption of psychotropic drugs in Slovenia, and the extent to which Slovenian consumption correlates to Scandinavian. Methods: Data of ambulatory prescribing of psychiatric drugs in Slovenia for years 1999 and 2000 and data for Norway, Sweden and Denmark is shown. All data is expressed in defined daily doses per thousand inhabitants per day (DDD's). Results: The use of all neuroleptics in Slovenia is lower (5,3 vs. 6,1-7,6 DDD's), however the share of atypicals (34%) is comparable to Scandinavian. Use of anticholinergics is up to 5 times greater (1,6 vs. 0,3-0,5 DDD's). The use of lithium is five time lower (0,2 vs. 1,1-1,4). Regarding the use of antidepressants, Slovenia is behind Scandinavia (12.2 vs. 30-47 DDD's), whereas the share of SSRI's (73%) is at the same level. The use of anxiolytics is higher (25,4 vs. 16-22,4 DDD's), and ratio with antidepressants is also unfavourable. The use of hypnotics and sedatives is favourably low (10,7 vs. 31,8-44,6 DDD's). Conclusions: Low use of hypnotics and sedatives is favourable. The share of new neuroleptics and antidepressants is comparable. There is probably too low use of antidepressants. However, prescribing guidelines for anxiolytics, anticholinergics (too high use of both group) and lithium (too low use) should be introduced in Slovenia.
Descriptors		PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS DRUG UTILIZATION PRESCRIPTIONS, DRUG PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY ANTIPSYCHOTIC AGENTS CHOLINERGIC ANTAGONISTS ANTIDEPRESSIVE AGENTS ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS LITHIUM HYPNOTICS AND SEDATIVES SLOVENIA SCANDINAVIA