National Prescribing Trends and Cost Analysis of Antidepressants, Anxiolytics, and Hypnotics in England, 2010-2023.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

We describe prescribing of anxiolytics/hypnotics/antidepressants at an all-England level between 2010 and 2023, taking account of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic-period.

Methods

All Primary Care Prescribing data for England for anxiolytics/hypnotics/antidepressant agents taken as tablets or capsules from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2023 were considered.

Results

Antidepressants: the greatest increases were in sertraline prescriptions increasing from 2.9million 2010 by 685% to 23.0 million-2023; duloxetine increased by 545% to 3.9million prescriptions; mirtazapine by 269% to 12.4million prescriptions. Regarding cost, overall average cost fell 2010-2023 by 54% from £4.86(Euros 5.68) to £2.25(Euros 2.63) per prescription. Anxiolytics: the number of p

SUBMITTER: Stedman M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12360015 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature