Use of serotonergic antidepressants and St John's wort in older Australians: A population-based cohort study

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorRahman, S.
dc.contributor.authorBasilakis, J.
dc.contributor.authorRahmadi, A.
dc.contributor.authorLujic, S.
dc.contributor.authorMusgrave, I.
dc.contributor.authorJorm, L.
dc.contributor.authorHay, P.
dc.contributor.authorMunch, G.
dc.date.issued2013
dc.description.abstractOBJECTIVE: 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.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilitySyed Ziaur Rahman, Jim Basilakis, Anton Rahmadi, Sanja Lujic, Ian Musgrave, Louisa Jorm, Phillipa Hay, Gerald Münch
dc.identifier.citationAustralasian Psychiatry, 2013; 21(3):262-266
dc.identifier.doi10.1177/1039856213475681
dc.identifier.issn1039-8562
dc.identifier.issn1440-1665
dc.identifier.orcidMusgrave, I. [0000-0003-1016-0588]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/80065
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherInforma Healthcare-Taylor & Francis
dc.rights© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2013
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1177/1039856213475681
dc.subjectantidepressants
dc.subjectdrug interactions
dc.subjectHypericum perforatum
dc.subjectselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
dc.subjectserotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
dc.subjectSt John’s wort
dc.titleUse of serotonergic antidepressants and St John's wort in older Australians: A population-based cohort study
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Pharmacology publications