Quality prescribing for antidepressants: guide for improvement 2024 to 2027

Antidepressant prescribing continues to increase in Scotland with one in five adults receiving one or more antidepressant prescriptions in a year. This guide aims to further improve the care of individuals receiving antidepressant medication and promote a holistic approach to person-centred care.


Abbreviations

A&A Ayrshire and Arran Health Board

ADRs Adverse drug reactions

BAP British Association for Psychopharmacology

BP Blood pressure

B-Z Benzodiazepines and/or z-drugs

CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

cCBT computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

DDD Defined daily dose

D&G Dumfries and Galloway Health Board

DOAC Direct oral anticoagulant

ECT Electroconvulsive therapy

eGFR Estimated glomerular filtration rate

FBC Full blood count

FV Forth Valley Health Board

GAD Generalised Anxiety Disorder

GAD-7 Generalised Anxiety Disorder questionnaire

GGC Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board

GP General practitioner

HbA1c Glycated haemoglobin

HSCP Health and Social Care Partnership

IBW Ideal body weight

LFTs Liver function tests

MAOI Monoamine oxidase inhibitor

MDI Metered dose inhaler

MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

MR Modified release

NHS National Health Service

NICE National Institute for Health and Care Excellence

NNH Number needed to harm

NNT Number needed to treat

NSAID Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

NTI National Therapeutic Indicator

OCD Obsessive compulsive disorder

OTC Over the counter

PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire

PROMs Patient Reported Outcomes Measures

PTSD Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

SNRI Serotonin and noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor

SSRI Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor

STU Scottish Therapeutics Utility

TCA Tricyclic antidepressant

TIA Transient ischaemic attack

U&Es Urea and electrolytes

WI Western Isles Health Board

Contact

Email: EPandT@gov.scot

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