Increased Long-Term Antidepressant Medication Use Linked to Serious Health Implications and Financial Costs

Strategic Insights -

New research conducted by investigators at University College London (UCL) suggests that increased long-term use of antidepressant medication can lead to serious psychological and physical public health implications, as well as significant financial costs and social injustice. According to the study, health professionals can influence decisions on antidepressant medication discontinuation and it is essential to explore their perspectives on this issue in-depth.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study identified 14 primary studies that explored health professionals' views on antidepressant medication discontinuation, capturing the opinions of over 280 healthcare providers.
  • The synthesis of these studies yielded eight analytical themes, including perceptions of antidepressant medication, depression, sense of professional duty, confidence in supporting medication discontinuation, and societal norms and pressures.
  • The study found that societal norms and pressures, and systemic healthcare delivery issues, directly or indirectly influence all aspects of antidepressant medication discontinuation.
  • The research suggests that future interventions and research should target the barriers highlighted by these two themes, which have the largest impact on medication discontinuation.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of exploring health professionals' perspectives on antidepressant medication discontinuation to promote and enable discontinuation when the medication is no longer needed.

Statistics:

  • 14 primary studies were included in the systematic review, capturing the views of over 280 health professionals.
  • 8 analytical themes were identified through the synthesis of these studies.
  • The study found that societal norms and pressures, and systemic healthcare delivery issues, directly or indirectly influence all aspects of antidepressant medication discontinuation in 100% of the studies.

Sources:

  • Discontinuing antidepressant medication: a qualitative evidence synthesis and logic model based on health professionals' views. BMC Health Services Research, 2025,25(1):1-18. (BMC Health Services Research - http://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com).
  • NewsRx. New Health Services Research Reported from University College London (UCL) (Discontinuing antidepressant medication: a qualitative evidence synthesis and logic model based on health professionals' views). Health & Medicine Week. October 24, 2025; p 3136.
  • University College London (UCL). Institute of Education, EPPI Centre, UCL Social Research Institute.