title: Trends in B-Vitamin Prescriptions From Military Treatment Facilities: 2007 to 2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of B-vitamin supplements has increased over the last decade. Although use is widespread in both military and civilian populations, data on patterns of B-vitamin prescription rates are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examines trends in B-vitamin prescriptions dispensed by military treatment facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined data from the Department of Defense Pharmacy Data Transaction Service to determine the nature of several B-vitamin prescriptions dispensed through military treatment facilities from 2007 through 2011. The eight B vitamins examined were B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (panthenol), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of B-vitamin prescriptions dispensed from military treatment facilities decreased 7% from 278,972 in 2007 to 260,472 in 2011. Individual vitamin prescription patterns varied widely. Vitamins B6, B9, and B12 were the most frequently prescribed in each year. Vitamin B2 prescriptions quadrupled between 2009 and 2011, and B12 prescriptions showed a steady increase over time. In contrast, vitamins B3, B6, and B9 prescriptions showed a steady decline, and vitamin B7 prescriptions decreased by 66% between 2008 and 2009.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No single pattern in B-vitamin prescriptions was observed. The driving forces behind increases in prescribed and non-prescribed dietary supplement use remain speculative.
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Krieger
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Rebecca M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Arnold
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Selasi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Attipoe
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Donnamaria R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Mark B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Deuster
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006772:Hospitals, Military / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D