Updated Swedish Guidelines Expand Treatment Options for Depression, Address Antidepressant Discontinuation
Stockholm, Sweden – new guidelines released by an expert group in Sweden broaden the range of pharmacological options for treating depression, especially in children adn young people who haven’t responded to initial treatments. the updated recommendations also place increased emphasis on individualized approaches to discontinuing antidepressant medication, acknowledging the complexities of withdrawal versus relapse.
the revised guidelines suggest exploring drug alternatives beyond selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for young people experiencing treatment-resistant depression. For adults with challenging-to-treat depression, the group now includes esketamine among potential alternatives. “even with regard to difficult-to-treat depression in adults, the expert group now presents additional alternatives, including esketamine,” stated Mats Persson. The update also recognizes the lack of conclusive evidence supporting a single method for antidepressant tapering, stressing the need to tailor the process to each patient’s unique needs.
These changes come as antidepressant use in Sweden continues to rise. In 2024, over 1.2 million patients were treated with antidepressants, a 3% increase from the previous year and a significant 35% jump over the past decade, according to data compiled by Kronans Apotek from the National Board of Health and Welfare. This trend appears to be continuing into 2025, with an average of 430,000 patients per month receiving prescriptions between January and august – a further increase of over 3% compared to the same period in 2023.
For most anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains the recommended first-line treatment, with SSRIs or SNRIs offered as alternatives.The guidelines continue to advise against the use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like drugs due to their addictive potential and negative cognitive effects.
Further information on the increase in antidepressant use and the crucial role of pharmacy advice can be found at https://www.svenskfarmaci.se/2025/10/20/okning-av-antidepressiva-apotekens-radgivning-avgorande/. Related reporting on a five-fold increase in antipsychotic prescriptions for children is available at https://www.svenskfarmaci.se/2025/08/11/femdubbling-av-recept-pa-antipsykotiska-lakemedel-till-barn/.
