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Anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative medication use in Australia
Samantha A Hollingworth1, Dan J Siskind
1School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4006, Australia. s.hollingworth@uq.edu.au
Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
|January 15, 2010
Summary
Anxiolytic, hypnotic, and sedative (AHS) medication use in Australia saw a slight increase from 2002-2007, with rising anxiolytic use and declining hypnotic use, particularly in the elderly. High use in older adults warrants further investigation due to associated risks.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Recent marketing of new sedative drugs in Australia.
- Need to understand prescribing trends for anxiolytic, hypnotic, and sedative (AHS) medications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine trends in subsidized anxiolytic, hypnotic, and sedative (AHS) medication use in Australia from 2002 to 2007.
- Analyze prescribing patterns by prescriber, gender, and age group.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Medicare Australia and Drug Utilisation Sub-Committee databases for AHS script data (2002-2007).
- Converted scripts to defined daily doses per 1000 population per day (DDD/1000 population/day).
- Incorporated Australian Bureau of Statistics population data for age-specific analysis.
Main Results:
- Overall AHS use increased slightly from 23.76 to 24.11 DDD/1000 population/day.
- Anxiolytic use increased while hypnotic use decreased; diazepam and temazepam were most common.
- Medication use was highest in individuals aged 65+, peaking at 85-89 years, with higher use in females.
Conclusions:
- Slight increase in AHS prescribing over the study period.
- Growing use of zolpidem via private prescription noted.
- Gender differences in AHS use likely reflect higher prevalence of anxiety/sleep disorders in women; high elderly use requires further study due to mortality/morbidity risks.
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