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A survey of combination antidepressant use in Australia

Horgan, David, Dodd, Seetal and Berk, Michael 2007, A survey of combination antidepressant use in Australia, Australasian psychiatry, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 26-29.

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Title A survey of combination antidepressant use in Australia
Author(s) Horgan, David
Dodd, Seetal
Berk, Michael
Journal name Australasian psychiatry
Volume number 15
Issue number 1
Start page 26
End page 29
Publisher Informa Healthcare
Place of publication London, England
Publication date 2007
ISSN 1039-8562
1440-1665
Keyword(s) Australia
combination antidepressants
survey
treatment
Summary Objective: The aim of this study was to survey doctors working in psychiatry in Australia about the practice of using two antidepressants simultaneously.

Method: A postal survey was sent to all doctors in psychiatry in Australia enquiring about their prescribing history and their attitudes to combination antidepressants and related issues.

Results: Seventy-nine percent of respondents had used combination antidepressants. The most frequently reported combination was a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor combined with a tricyclic antidepressant. Combinations of mirtazepine with venlafaxine and other antidepressants were the next most frequently used. Seventeen percent of respondents reported having seen a complication from combination antidepressants, 75% believed that Australian GPs should be given information on the use of combination antidepressants, 89% wished for more information on this topic, and 88% believed patients had a right to be informed of this option in their treatment. Use of combination antidepressants was more frequent than exceeding the recommended maximum dose of an individual antidepressant.

Conclusion: Combination antidepressants are used far more frequently in Australia than suspected previously. Research into safe and evidence-based practice is strongly indicated.
Language eng
Field of Research 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
Socio Economic Objective 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences
HERDC Research category C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal
Copyright notice ©2007, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30035631

Document type: Journal Article
Collection: School of Medicine
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