Patterns and predictors for prescription of psychotropics and mood-stabilizing antiepileptics during pregnancy in Denmark 2000-2016.

AIMS: To analyse prescribing patterns during pregnancy for antipsychotics (APs), antidepressants (ADs) and mood-stabilizing antiepileptics (AEDs) in Denmark from 2000 to 2016.

METHODS

Data were obtained from the Danish Medical Birth Register, the Register for Legally Induced Abortions, the Danish National Patient Register and the Register of Medicinal Product Statistics. Data were linked through a unique personal identifier by Statistics Denmark.

RESULTS

The use of APs increased 2.5-fold from a prevalence of 1.5 per 1000 pregnancies to 3.8 for pregnancies ending in a delivery. Use of mood-stabilizing AEDs increased from a prevalence of 0.1 to 2.1 during the study period. The prevalence for APs and mood-stabilizing AEDs was nearly twice as high for pregnancies ending in miscarriage or termination compared to pregnancies ending in delivery. A marked increase in the prevalence of ADs use during pregnancy was seen from 2000-2011 (from 6 to 41 per 1000 pregnancies ending in a delivery) but appears slightly in decline. Age, smoking, obesity and social status were generally associated with increased use of psychotropic drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of APs, ADs and mood-stabilizing AEDs during pregnancy has increased substantially in Denmark from 2000-2016. The use of ADs appears to be slightly in decline since 2011.