Trends, patterns, and maternal characteristics of opioid prescribing during pregnancy in a large population-based cohort study

Patterns in Prescription Opioids, Benzodiazepines, and Stimulants Filled by Pregnant Medicaid Beneficiaries

“…Between 2015 and 2019, patterns in prescription opioids and benzodiazepines filled by pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries declined considerably, contrasting with earlier studies of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries but in line with recent patterns in the general population and among pregnant people in Tennessee . There were modest increases in prescription stimulants filled by pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries, coinciding with increasing patterns in the adult population and among commercially insured pregnant people .…”

“…The controlled prescriptions, however, have abuse potential and, when used during pregnancy, may increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. [1][2][3][4] Medicaid is the largest single payer of maternity care in the US, yet little is known about recent controlled prescription patterns among pregnant beneficiaries. Most studies have focused on commercially insured populations or are limited by self-reported, nonrepresentative data.…”

“…Most studies have focused on commercially insured populations or are limited by self-reported, nonrepresentative data. [2][3][4] Studies overcoming these limitations have focused on opioids, 1 using claims from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) that are available for all states up to 2013 and a subset of states from 2014 to 2015. 2 One study documented that 21.6% of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries filled prescription opioids between 2000 and 2007.…”

“…Medicaid is the largest single payer of maternity care in the US, yet little is known about recent controlled prescription patterns among pregnant beneficiaries. Most studies have focused on commercially insured populations or are limited by self-reported, nonrepresentative data . Studies overcoming these limitations have focused on opioids, using claims from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) that are available for all states up to 2013 and a subset of states from 2014 to 2015 .…”

“…Controlled prescription drugs can effectively treat various conditions, including pain, attention disorders, anxiety, and sleeping disorders. The controlled prescriptions, however, have abuse potential and, when used during pregnancy, may increase the risk of adverse perinatal outcomes …”