Temporal trends for donepezil utilization among older people

Abstract

To examine and characterize overall donepezil and concomitant utilization with β-blockers, yearly, in older New Zealanders. Deidentified data from the Pharmaceutical claims database and the National Minimum Dataset were obtained for 2011 to 2013 from the Ministry of Health. Population-level data were extracted for donepezil and β-blockers utilization, measured by defined daily dose (DDD) per thousand older people per day (TOPD). Donepezil utilization increased from 5.2 to 8.2 DDD/TOPD between 2011 and 2013. In 2011, the number of prevalent users was 4634, the mean age was 79.4±6.6 years and 57.5% were women. Highest use by age for donepezil was in those aged 85 years or older (2.3 DDD/TOPD), followed by those aged 80-84 years (2.2 DDD/TOPD). The mean utilization volumes were significantly lower for donepezil 5 mg (Student t-test=9.86; P<0.05) and 10 mg (10.90; P<0.05) in the 65- to 69-year age group compared with the 80- to 84-year age group, whereas the proportion of concomitant utilization of donepezil with β-blockers decreased (17.9% to 5.1%). Donepezil utilization in DDD/TOPD increased by three-fifths between 2011 and 2013. Prescribers appear to be aware of the potential risk of bradycardia with the concomitant use of donepezil and β-blockers.

What is happening with not recommended drugs for dementia in Argentina? Prescription patterns and direct costs analysis

“…In accordance with the study performed in 2009, 11 affiliates/year). This is similar to the increase in the prescription of CI drugs reported in other countries, regions, or cities like New Zealand, 26 Australia, 23 Basque Region, 24 or Madrid. 25 However, in the INSSJyP population, there was also an increase in the prescription of NRD for CI (an increase of 70.3% of the rate of packages/1000…”

“…This is similar to the increase in the prescription of CI drugs reported in other countries, regions, or cities like New Zealand,26 Australia,23 Basque Region,24 or Madrid 25. This is similar to the increase in the prescription of CI drugs reported in other countries, regions, or cities like New Zealand,26 Australia,23 Basque Region,24 or Madrid 25.…”