METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on prescription data which were obtained from the claims that pharmacies submitted to the insurers during  years (200-201). Data related to total antidepressant sales from wholesale to retail pharmacies were obtained from the official databank of national regulatory authority. Drugs were classified into four main groups according to the Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical (ATC-2012edition) System (N06AA- N06AB- N06AF, N06AG- N06AX)The DDDs were calculated for these groups

RESULTS: More than  million prescriptions were reviewed. The total price of prescribed antidepressant during the study period was  US$ while total sale was US$. A total of  and 6,328,976,120 DDDs were prescribed and sold respectively during the mentioned period. An annual growth in antidepressant utilization is observed throughout the study. 

CONCLUSIONS:  Like many Asian, European and American countries, overall consumption of antidepressant in Iran follows an increasing trendhe significant difference between the amount of prescribed antidepressants and total sale of these medicines, suggests that antidepressants may be utilized inappropriately in Iran. Therefore besides monitoring the pattern of antidepressants use, the difference between prescription and sales amount should be considered.