title: Prescription sequence analysis: a new and fast method for assessing certain adverse reactions of prescription drugs in large populations.
abstract: Prescription sequence analysis (PSA) uses pharmacy-based prescription drug histories to detect a subset of drug effects: those that are themselves indications for changes in the prescribing of another drug. Dutch pharmacy practice ensures virtually complete drug histories. With a database of 25,000 patients, we used PSA to test an alleged link between the use of the anti-vertigo drug flunarizine and mental depression. The temporal sequence of anti-depressant use among flunarizine users shows no clustering that would suggest a causal link. PSA can be run within a few days, which may make it helpful in resolving certain of the periodic controversies about adverse drug reactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Petri
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: de Vet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Naus
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Urquhart
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005444:Flunarizine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D009426:Netherlands; D010605:Pharmacy Administration; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing / Q000379:methods*; D011996:Records; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D005444:Flunarizine