Nottingham saw the third highest amount of antidepressants prescribed in the UK, figures have shown. The city's NHS service gave out 93,255 in November last year, averaging at 29,007 per 100,000 people, according to a study by digital health service Now Patient.
This makes it the third highest in the country, ranking only behind Manchester (33,027) and Newcastle (31,358). NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire said prescriptions were made in line with local guidelines which are based on national recommendations
Of the near 100,000 prescriptions that were made in Nottingham, 50,119 were for sertraline, a medication designed to help treat depression, anxiety, OCD and PTSD.
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The second-highest was for citalopram hydrobromide, with 41,299 prescribed. “Mental health support is one of our top priorities and the prescribing of antidepressants is routinely monitored across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire," said an NHS Nottingham spokesperson.
“We promote to prescribers that where possible non-pharmacological measures are used initially in a treatment plan before antidepressants are prescribed, however, it is important that people are offered appropriate treatment based on the severity of their depression. The prescribing of anti-depressants is done in line with our local guidelines, which are based on national recommendations. This means all prescriptions are regularly reviewed and deprescribed where appropriate.
“It is important that people experiencing mental health concerns feel able to come forward and receive help when they need it. People living in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can access mental health services including Talking Therapies and a 24-hour mental health crisis line. These services are free and do not require a referral. You can find out more information about the support available at notts.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/mental-health.”
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