title: Benzodiazepine prescribing in children under 15 years of age receiving free medical care on the General Medical Services scheme in Ireland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the prevalence and secular trends in benzodiazepine (BZD) prescribing in the Irish paediatric population. In addition, we examine coprescribing of antiepileptic, antipsychotic, antidepressant and psychostimulants in children receiving BZD drugs and compare BZD prescribing in Ireland to that in other European countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from the Irish General Medical Services (GMS) scheme pharmacy claims database from the Health Service Executive (HSE)--Primary Care Reimbursement Services (PCRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Children aged 0-15 years, on the HSE-PCRS database between January 2002 and December 2011, were included.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prescribing rates were reported over time (2002-2011) and duration (≤ or >90 days). Age (0-4, 5-11, 12-15) and gender trends were established. Rates of concomitant prescriptions for antiepileptic, antipsychotics, antidepressants and psychostimulants were reported. European prescribing data were retrieved from the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rates decreased from 2002 (8.56/1000 GMS population: 95% CI 8.20 to 8.92) to 2011 (5.33/1000 GMS population: 95% CI 5.10 to 5.55). Of those children currently receiving a BZD prescription, 6% were prescribed BZD for >90 days. Rates were higher for boys in the 0-4 and 5-11 age ranges, whereas for girls they were higher in the 12-15 age groups. A substantial proportion of children receiving BZD drugs are also prescribed antiepileptic (27%), antidepressant (11%), antipsychotic (5%) and psychostimulant (2%) medicines. Prescribing rates follow a similar pattern to that in other European countries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While BZD prescribing trends have decreased in recent years, this study shows that a significant proportion of the GMS children population are being prescribed BZD in the long term. This study highlights the need for guidelines for BZD prescribing in children in terms of clinical indication and responsibility, coprescribing, dosage and duration of treatment.
authors.affiliation: HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School, Dublin, Ireland Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Reulbach
authors.affiliation: HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boland
authors.affiliation: HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Motterlini
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Trinity College Centre for Health Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Department of General Practice, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Medical School, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fahey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D001569:Benzodiazepines
keywords: CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY; PAEDIATRICS