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Pharmacoepidemiology of psychotropic drugs: examples of current research challenges on major public health issues

Part of: Special Articles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 April 2011

Hélène Verdoux ,
Marie Tournier  and
Bernard Bégaud
Hélène Verdoux*
Affiliation:
INSERM U657, University Victor Segalen Bordeaux2, Bordeaux (France)
Marie Tournier
Affiliation:
INSERM U657, University Victor Segalen Bordeaux2, Bordeaux (France)
Bernard Bégaud
Affiliation:
INSERM U657, University Victor Segalen Bordeaux2, Bordeaux (France)
*
Professor H. Verdoux, Hôpital Charles Perrens, 121 rue de la Béchade, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex (France). Fax: +33-556-563546 E-mail: helene.verdoux@bordeaux2.fr
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Summary

Background – As a large number of persons are exposed to prescribed psychotropic drugs, their utilisation and impact should be further explored at the population level. Aims – To illustrate the interest of pharmacoepidemiological studies of psychotropic drugs by selected examples of major public health issues. Method – Selective review of the literature. Results – Many questions remain unsolved regarding the behavioural teratogenicity of prenatal exposure to psychotropic drugs, the impact of their increasing use in children, the long-term cognitive consequences of exposure to benzodiazepines, and the risks associated with extension of indications of antipsychotic drugs. Conclusion – Pharmacoepidemiological studies need to be further developed owing to the large number of public health questions raised by the extensive and expanding use of psychotropic drugs.

Type
Special Article
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , June 2009 , pp. 107 - 113
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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