Psychosomatics 1995; 36:42-47
Copyright © 1995 by Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine
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ORIGINAL RESEARCH REPORTS |
Factors associated with antidepressant choice
JJ Huszonek, MJ Dewan and MP Donnelly
Psychiatry Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Syracuse, NY.
Previous studies have suggested that nonpsychiatrists tend to prescribe
antidepressants (ADs) with the most side effects (SEs), whereas
psychiatrists are more likely to prescribe more ADs with fewer SEs. The
authors used a questionnaire to examine the antidepressant prescribing
pattern, conditions for which ADs were prescribed, and SEs of concern to
physicians. Of those surveyed, the psychiatrists reported prescribing
significantly more nortriptyline and desipramine, whereas the
nonpsychiatrists prescribed more amitriptyline. The nonpsychiatrists were
more likely to prescribe ADs for pain, and they were significantly less
concerned with orthostatic hypotension. Possible lower dosing and level of
concern about orthostatic hypotension may be related. Further study is
proposed to assess other factors that might influence AD choice.
