Prescription and non-prescription analgesic use among the US adult population: results from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III).
OBJECTIVE
To estimate prescription and non-prescription analgesic use in a nationally representative sample of US adults.


METHODS
Data collected during the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), for persons 17 years and older were analyzed (n = 20,050). During the household interview, respondents reported use, in the last month, of prescription and non-prescription analgesics.


RESULTS
An estimated 147 million adults reported monthly analgesic use, Prescription analgesic use was 9% while non-prescription use was 76%. Females were more likely than males to use prescription (11 vs. 7%, p < 0.001) and non-prescription (81 vs. 71%, p < 0.001) analgesics. Across race-ethnicity groups, males (approximately 8%) and females (11-13%) had similar age-adjusted prescription analgesic use. Non-prescription analgesic use was higher among non-Hispanic whites than non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican-Americans for males (76 vs. 53% (p < 0.001) and 59% (p < 0.001), respectively) and females (85 vs. 68% (p < 0.001) and 71% (p < 0.001), respectively). With increasing age, prescription analgesic use increased whereas non-prescription use decreased. Approximately 30% of adults used multiple analgesics during a 1-month period. This was more common among females (35%) than males (25%, p < 0.001) and among younger (17-44 years, 33%) rather than older age groups (45+ years, 26%, p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Analgesic use among US adults is extremely high, specifically of non-prescription analgesics. Given this, health care providers and consumers should be aware of potential adverse effects and monitor use closely.
Paulose-Ram
Ryne
R
Division of Health Examination Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, MD, USA. RPaulose@cdc.gov
Hirsch
Rosemarie
R
Dillon
Charles
C
Losonczy
Katalin
K
Cooper
Michael
M
Ostchega
Yechiam
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal