Trends in the prescription of psychotropic drugs and hormone substitutes in Austria.

INTRODUCTION

Psychological instability as a result of changing hormone levels are commonly observed during menopause. We examined the question whether the prescription of psychotropic drugs is related to age or gender and whether the increase in the prescription rate of hormone substitutes has an impact on this phenomenon.

METHODS

Age and gender-specific prescription rates of psychotropic drugs and hormone substitutes were examined in a retrospective study using data of the European Pharmaceutical Market Research Association of Austria. The relevant Austrian figures were established on the basis of representative samples.

RESULTS

There are no gender-specific differences in terms of prescription frequency up to the age of 45 years. After the age of 45, there is a significant increase in the prescription of psychotropic drugs for women. When comparing the years 1991 and 1996, we find a reduction in the number of prescriptions of psychotropic drugs and an increase in the prescription rate of hormone replacement drugs.

DISCUSSION

An increase in the prescription rate of hormone substitutes may contribute to the psychological stabilisation of menopausal women and thereby reduce the need for psychotropic drugs.