Health briefs: Antidepressant use way up

The rate of antidepressant use among Americans of all ages increased nearly 400 percent over the last two decades, and 11 percent of Americans aged 12 and older now take antidepressant drugs, according to a federal government report released Wednesday. The analysis of 2005-2008 data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey also showed that antidepressants are the third most common prescription drug taken by Americans of all ages and the most frequently used by those aged 18 to 44.

Short-term hormone replacement therapy

Women's options for treating menopausal symptoms still include short-term use of hormone replacement therapy using estrogen alone, experts conclude in a new consensus report. "Hormone replacement therapy should be considered a very reasonable option for recently menopausal women who have moderate-to-severe hot flashes or night sweats," said Dr. JoAnn E. Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and current president of the North American Menopause Society. Hormone replacement therapy was widely used up until 2002, when the Women's Health Initiative trial was stopped early after women who took it were found to have an increased risk for heart disease, strokes, breast cancer and blood clots.

-- HealthDay