Differences in compliance patterns across the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Objective: To evaluate differential compliance rates between immediate-release (IR) selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and a controlled-release (CR) SSRI in patients initiating SSRI therapy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients initiating treatment with SSRIs identified in the IHCIS National Managed Care Database between July 2001 and December 2002 was conducted. Logistic regression models were used to assess differences in 6-month compliance rates, controlling for age, gender, utilization of mental health specialty care services, titration rates, diagnoses, and comorbidities.

Differences in total medical costs across the SSRIs for the treatment of depression and anxiety.

There is growing evidence that adherence to the recommended duration of antidepressant therapy results in reduced medical costs compared with nonadherence, and that the likelihood of adhering to therapy is not equivalent across the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). As such, the purpose of this study was to assess differences in 6-month medical costs between paroxetine controlled-release (CR) and immediate-release (IR) SSRI agents in a retrospective analysis of patients initiating SSRI therapy identified from the Integrated Healthcare Information Services National Managed Care Benchmark Database during a 2.5-year time frame.