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. 2022 Dec 15:319:507-510.
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.08.119. Epub 2022 Aug 31.

New prescription fills of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles County, California

Jonathan S Levin  1 , Joie Acosta  2 , Laura J Faherty  3
Affiliations

New prescription fills of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles County, California

Jonathan S Levin et al. J Affect Disord. .

Abstract

Objective: This study examined whether the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with changes in new selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescription fills.

Methods: Using IQVIA Xponent data on new SSRI fills in Los Angeles (L.A.) County from March 2019 to June 2021, the authors implemented an interrupted time series analysis comparing the monthly volume and trend of overall fills and fills by age and gender from before to after the pandemic declaration.

Results: The rate of new SSRI prescription fills briefly decreased after the pandemic declaration but then consistently increased through the rest of the study period. These increases were primarily driven by women, young adults (i.e., 18-39 year-olds), and those under 18 years old.

Limitations: Sample is limited to one county and may not be generalizable to other municipalities.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with significant increases in new SSRI fills among women, young adults, and those under 18. These increases were relatively small compared to increases in depressive symptoms during the same time period.

Keywords: COVID-19; Depression; SSRIs.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Ratio of new fills after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared to new fills for the same month before COVID-19 Notes: Unadjusted analysis of IQVIA Xponent data from Los Angeles County. Figure 1A displays the overall sample, Figure 1B displays the sample stratified by age group, and Figure 1C displays the sample stratified by gender.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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