Quality Statement 8: Continuation of Antidepressant Medication

Resources Quality Statements Advisory Committee About

8

Continuation of Antidepressant Medication

People taking antidepressant medication who enter into remission from their first episode of major depression are advised to continue their medication for at least 6 months after remission. People with recurrent episodes of major depression who are taking antidepressant medication and enter into remission are advised to continue their medication for at least 2 years after remission.

Background

People with major depression who recover from their depressive episode with antidepressant medication can reduce the risk of experiencing residual symptoms, relapse, or recurrence by continuing to take their medication for a period of time afterward.

What This Quality Statement Means

For Patients

To avoid the risk of your depression coming back, when you’re feeling better you should keep taking your antidepressant medication for several months. Your health care professional will work with you to develop this timeline.

For Clinicians

Advise patients who enter remission with antidepressant medication therapy during their first episode of major depression to continue antidepressants for at least 6 months. Advise people who have experienced recurrent episodes of major depression to continue antidepressants for at least 2 years.

For Health Services

Ensure the continuing availability of antidepressant medication for people suffering from major depression.

Quality Indicators

Process Indicator

Percentage of people in remission from their first episode of major depression with antidepressant medication therapy who are advised to continue antidepressants for at least 6 months after remission

Denominator: total number of people in remission from their first episode of major depression with antidepressant medication
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who are advised to continue antidepressant medication for at least 6 months after remission
Data source: local data collection

Percentage of people in remission from their first episode of major depression with antidepressant medication therapy who continue antidepressants for at least 6 months after remission

Denominator: total number of people in remission from their first episode of major depression with antidepressant medication
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who continue antidepressant medication for at least 6 months after remission
Data source: local data collection

Percentage of people with recurrent episodes of major depression in remission with antidepressant medication therapy who are advised to continue antidepressants for at least 2 years after remission

Denominator: total number of people with recurrent episodes of major depression who are in remission with antidepressant medication
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who are advised to continue antidepressant medication for at least 2 years after remission
Data source: local data collection

Percentage of people with recurrent episodes of major depression in remission with antidepressant medication therapy who continue antidepressants for at least 2 years after remission

Denominator: total number of people with recurrent episodes of major depression who are in remission with antidepressant medication
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who continue antidepressant medication for at least 2 years after remission
Data source: local data collection

Definitions Used Within This Quality Statement

Recurrent episodes of major depression

This consists of three or more episodes, two of which are in the past 5 years, with at least 6 months between episodes.

Remission

This is defined as a score below the predetermined threshold on the depression symptom rating scale used at the initial assessment and follow-up.

Evidence to Improve Care