Use of psychotropic medications in the specialist health service for mental health care and substance use disorders in 2012-23

Abstract

Background: Data on the use of psychotropic medications in specialist mental health services and interdisciplinary specialised treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) are useful both as cross-sectional indicators and as time series data for monitoring trends. The figures can help form a basis for evaluating rational use of medications in hospitals.

Material and method: Purchasing data for anxiolytics, antidepressants, mood stabilisers and antipsychotics from the Hospital Pharmacies Drug Statistics for the period 2012-23 were used. The data are sourced from sales to specialist mental health clinics and for SUD treatment. Defined daily doses and the number of defined daily doses per 100 bed-days were used as units of measurement.

Results: Use of anxiolytics increased by 127 % from 2012 to 2023, while decreasing by 24 % for antidepressants. The use of mood stabilisers and lithium decreased by 26 % and 16 %, respectively. Total use of antipsychotics increased by 29 %, while rising by 79 % for depot injections.

Interpretation: Significant changes in medication use were observed during the reference period. Further studies are needed to identify the causes and effects of the changed prescribing patterns.