Utilization of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

Information derived from pharmaceutical marketing databases on the use of 12 nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in 1983 is presented. Estimates of population exposure, regularity of treatment, average daily dose, age and sex distributions of users, concomitant use of other drugs, associated diagnoses, and trends in use are provided. Utilization patterns were similar for 8 of the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, with differing patterns seen for mefenamic acid, oxyphenbutazone, phenylbutazone, and zomepirac.