Relationship between antidepressant and anxiolytic/hypnotic prescribing: A mixed-methods study

Abstract

Background: Antidepressant prescribing has dramatically increased in Scotland, and the cause is unknown. Objective: To investigate if the increase in antidepressant prescribing coincided with a reduction in prescribing of anxiolytics and hypnotics; to investigate this relationship at practice level; and to explore whether general practitioners (GPs) explain the increase by their increased use for anxiety. Methods: Study design: analysis of routine prescribing data and interviews with GPs. Setting: Scottish general practices. Participants: 942 practices included in the analysis. Sixty-three GPs in 30 practices completed interviews. Main outcome measures: Quantity of antidepressants, anxiolyti..