Sedative hypnotic use in Alberta.
OBJECTIVE
Benzodiazepines and similar sedative-hypnotics (BDZ-SSHs) are associated with both beneficial and adverse effects. Pharmacoepidemiologic data describing the use of these medications in contemporary Canadian populations has not been readily available. Our objective was to examine the hypothesis that increasing use of antidepressant medications for anxiety and mood disorders during the past decade led to less frequent use of BDZ-SSH medications.


METHODS
We used data from an Alberta Mental Health Survey to describe the pattern of BDZ-SSH use and to estimate provincial and health region frequencies of use. We supplemented the data with pharmacy dispensing data from IMS Health.


RESULTS
The frequency of use was comparable to that reported in previous studies. Unexpectedly, in the survey data, we observed trends suggesting regional variation both in the frequency and pattern of use. Examination of prescription dispensing data confirmed this pattern. Clinical factors, including the use of other psychotropic medications and psychiatric diagnoses, were strongly associated with BDZ-SSH use. Among the drugs examined, zopiclone had the highest frequency of use. Prescription dispensing data confirmed that the frequency of zopiclone use in Alberta is higher than that in most other provinces.


CONCLUSIONS
This descriptive study generates several new research questions and provides benchmarks for future pharmacoepidemiologic monitoring.
Kassam
Aliya
A
Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
Carter
Brian
B
Patten
Scott B
SB
D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010507:Periodicity; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000081:Acetamides; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; C515050:zopiclone; C085665:zaleplon