Overprescribing antidepressants to children: pharmacoepidemiological study in primary care

Depression is associated with considerable morbidity and risk of suicide. About 20% of adults and 2% of those aged 0-18 years are affected at anytime.1 Although widely used to manage adult depression, no antidepressants are licensed for use in children. Recent attention has focused on the potential risk of suicide in children. We aimed to evaluate the level of use of antidepressants in adults and children in Ireland, the drug type and duration of use, and the changes in prescription rates over time. We used the General Medical Services' claims database. The scheme, which is means tested, provides free health services to about 30% of the Irish population (representing 1.24 million people) and 28% of all children.2 All prescription items are coded using WHO's anatomical therapeutic chemical classification (ATC) and basic demographic information (age and sex) are recorded. As age is categorised we …