{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,13]],"date-time":"2026-08-13T10:31:52Z","timestamp":1786617112545,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,13]],"date-time":"2026-08-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786579200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Pharmacy"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: The use of antidepressants and anxiolytics has increased worldwide, raising concerns about treatment patterns, medication safety, and rational use. This study aimed to characterize the frequency, utilization patterns, and safety-related aspects of antidepressant and anxiolytic use among healthcare students and university staff at a Brazilian public university. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2024 and June 2025 using an online questionnaire administered to students and staff at the University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Brazil. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were applied to characterize medication utilization patterns and evaluate factors associated with antidepressant and\/or anxiolytic use. Results: Among the 300 participants, 167 (55.7%) reported antidepressant and\/or anxiolytic use during the previous six months. Most users reported treatment for more than one year (59.9%), anxiety as the primary indication (68.3%), and prescription by a healthcare professional (93.4%). A total of 203 medications were reported, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors being the most common pharmacological class (42.4%). Among users, 99 (59.3%) reported at least one self-reported adverse effect, most commonly excessive drowsiness, reduced libido\/sexual dysfunction, dry mouth, headache, and nausea. No statistically significant independent associations were identified between antidepressant and\/or anxiolytic use and the evaluated sociodemographic characteristics. Conclusions: Antidepressant and anxiolytic use was frequently reported and was characterized by predominantly long-term, professionally prescribed treatment and frequent self-reported adverse effects. These findings may inform institutional strategies to improve access to mental healthcare while promoting the rational and safe use of psychotropic medications within university settings.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmacy14050118","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,13]],"date-time":"2026-08-13T09:31:09Z","timestamp":1786613469000},"page":"118","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Patterns and Safety-Related Aspects of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Use Among Healthcare Students and University Staff at a Brazilian Public University: A Cross-Sectional Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-4668-3726","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"N\u00fabia Vieira","family":"Alves","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Bauru 17012-901, SP, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-0688-9094","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ge\u00f3rgia Almeida","family":"Sant\u2019Ana","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Bauru 17012-901, SP, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-5243-4580","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jorge Fernando","family":"Carrozza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Bauru 17012-901, SP, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0990-7106","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gabriela Moraes","family":"Oliveira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Bauru 17012-901, SP, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0405-3500","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Carlos Ferreira","family":"Santos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Bauru 17012-901, SP, Brazil"},{"name":"Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of S\u00e3o Paulo (HRAC\/USP), Bauru 17012-901, SP, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2876-0955","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Adriana Maria","family":"Calvo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biological Sciences, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of S\u00e3o Paulo, Bauru 17012-901, SP, Brazil"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,13]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"391","DOI":"10.1002\/wps.21018","article-title":"The World Mental Health Report: Transforming mental health for all","volume":"21","author":"Freeman","year":"2022","journal-title":"World Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"United Nations (2026, May 26). 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