INTEGRATIVE REVIEW ON THE CONSUMPTION OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS AND ANXIOLYTICS BY THE BRAZILIAN POPULATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objective: To verify what the scientific literature shows us about the consumption of antidepressants and anxiolytics during the pandemic and the impacts on the quality of life of users. Materials and methods: An integrative literature review was carried out through the following databases: Latin American Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Scientifc Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Google Scholar. The following inclusion criteria were used for the selection of articles: articles published in the period from 2019 to 2024; articles in Portuguese, which contain full text and cover the related theme, and publications that fit into monographs, dissertations, patents, TCC, theses and books were excluded. Results: A total of 172 published journals were found, after the applicability of the inclusion criteria, 161 that did not present data related to the theme were excluded, and a total of 11 articles were included for analysis. Through the analysis of the surveys, a global increase in people diagnosed with depression and anxiety was identified, and consequently the consumption of anxiolytics and antidepressants in the covid-19 pandemic. Factors such as social isolation, fear of contracting the virus, and uncertainties about the pandemic were important for changes in the profile of psychotropic drug consumption. Conclusion: It was possible to identify the increase in the consumption of psychotropic drugs during the pandemic and the risks arising from the use of these drugs. It is noted that it is necessary to adopt public policies that contribute to the improvement of the mental health conditions of the population, contributing to the correct and rational use of medicines in a post-pandemic context.