BACKGROUND: Spain as multiple other countries, has been experiencing an increasing and sustained trend in the use of psychotropic medications since the mid 90s. Recent studies show public health measures implemented to control SARS-Cov2, such as mobility restrictions and the shutdown of nonessential activities increased mental suffering, even contributing to a higher number of anxiety, depression and insomnia disorders that could lead to an increase in the consumption of psychotropics. The aims were: 1) Evaluate the temporal trend in psychotropic consumption by therapeutic subgroup, sex, and age group 2) Estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the use of psychotropic drugs.METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study, retrieving all prescriptions of anxiolytics, hypnotics/sedatives, and antidepressants dispensed in pharmacies of Asturias (Northern Spain) for Primary Care patients for the period 2018-2021.We presented the data expressed in Daily Defined Doses (DDDs) for 1000 persons/day (DHD). To estimate changes in DHDs by year and age group we conducted 2 multiple linear regressions (one for males and one for females) for every therapeutic subgroup studied. Changes were considered statistically significant when the regression coefficient was p<0.05. We used the Software R 4.1.0.RESULTS:For the studied period, the highest DHDs are for antidepressants, although all of the subgroups experienced an increase in consumption rates.Women consumed more psychotropic drugs than men. In 2021, 372 out of every 1,000 women were taking daily 1 DDD of these drugs versus 184 out of every 1,000 men. Consumption rates for all psychotropic drugs progressively increases with age. Conversely, the biggest increases in consumption were among the youngest age groups (0-14 years, 43.2% increase and 15-29 years, 35.1% increase).The regression models suggest an upward trend in psychotropic consumption during all the period, especially remarkable from 2020, for both genders and all age groups. CONCLUSIONS:-The growing and sustained trend in consumption of psychotropic drugs for the recent years has increased since the start of the SARS-COV2 pandemic for both sexes, especially from 2020 onwards. This trend is consistent with the observed national one.-The increase observed on children and adolescents is a matter of concern.