Use of sumatriptan in Denmark in 1994-5: an epidemiological analysis of nationwide prescription data.
OBJECTIVE
We describe the use of medication with symptomatic relief of migraine as specific indication by analysing prescription data from the entire Danish population in 1994 and 1995.


METHODS
The data for sumatriptan were analysed at the level of the individual user. We used aggregated data for ergotamine drugs.


RESULTS
Sumatriptan constituted 46% of the total amount of defined daily doses (DDD) sold and 94% of the total pharmacy retail price expenses in the drug-group studied. In total, 43389 users of sumatriptan were identified who presented 340148 prescriptions, corresponding to 2.2 million DDD of sumatriptan. The quarterly consumption increased by 50% during the study period. Tablets accounted for 92% of consumption. The 1 year period prevalence of use of sumatriptan among persons 16 years and older was 7.8 per 1000 in 1995 with a female to male prevalence ratio of 3.8:1. Use was most common in the age interval 35-54 years. Regional differences in use, which were not large, were positively correlated to the degree of urbanization. The incidence of use of sumatriptan was estimated at 3.6 per 1000 person-years. The intensity of use of sumatriptan varied greatly with 1.1% of patients (n = 507) using 60 DDD or more within 30 days at some time during the observation period. Long-term high use of tablets was common in this group.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that sumatriptan had a considerable impact on the treatment of migraine with prescription drugs in Denmark. The underlying reasons for high use of the drug in a smaller fraction of the patients deserve further study.
Gaist
D
D
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, IMB, Odense University, Denmark.
Andersen
M
M
Aarup
A L
AL
Hallas
J
J
Gram
L F
LF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013383:Suburban Population; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014505:Urban Population
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D018170:Sumatriptan; D004878:Ergotamine