Characteristics of heavy users of outpatient prescription drugs.
One hundred fifty-eight users of eight or more different prescription drugs in a three-month period were identified, using computerstored pharmacy data. Compared with 99 "light" users of only one or two different drugs, these heavy users were more likely to be older, female, and white and to have blue collar occupations, if male, or to be housewives, if female. Heavy drug use was associated with  greater use of other medical care and was usually a persistent  characteristic. Prepayment for drug prescriptions was not associated with heavy use. Among heavy users were found some severely ill individuals, and some with emotional  problems that appear to contribute  to symptoms and requests for drugs. In a 21-month period, adverse drug reactions were experienced by 28% of heavy users as compared  with 8% of light users.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010361:Patients; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors