Patterns in (es)citalopram prescriptions to Medicaid and Medicare patients in the United States: the potential effects of evergreening.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Citalopram and escitalopram are among the most used medications and are key treatments for many psychiatric disorders. Previous findings suggest citalopram and escitalopram prescription rates are changing because of the patent for citalopram ending as opposed to evidence of a clear therapeutic advantage-so-called "evergreening". This retrospective study focuses on characterizing the chronologic and geographic variation in the use of citalopram and escitalopram from 2015 to 2020 among US Medicaid and Medicare patients. We hypothesized that prescription rates of citalopram will decrease with a concurrent increase in escitalopram, consistent with "evergreening".

Methods

Citalopram and escitalopram prescription rates and costs per state were obtained from the Medica

SUBMITTER: Cavanah LR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11919847 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature