Pregabalin prescriptions in the United Kingdom: a drug utilisation study of The Health Improvement Network (THIN) primary care database

• DOI: 10.1111/ijcp.12791
• Publication Date: 2016-03-31T20:24:44Z
• Authors: K. Asomaning; S. Abramsky; Q. Liu; X. Zhou; R. E. Sobel; S. Watt
• Keywords: Pregabalin; Interquartile range

Aim In Europe, pregabalin is approved for treatment of neuropathic pain, general anxiety disorder (GAD) and as adjunctive therapy epilepsy. The purpose this study was to assess utilisation in the UK, including patients with a recorded history substance abuse, from large practice database. Methods This observational drug (DUS) analysed prescription data UK Health Improvement Network primary care database between September 2004 July 2009. Patient demographics, diagnoses (by READ codes) dosing were collected. Diagnosis codes used proxy indication pregabalin. Result A cohort 18,951 prescribed pregabalin; information available 13,480 (71.1%). Median age 58 years, majority female (60.1%). (interquartile range) average daily dose (ADD) all 150.0 (162.5) mg/day; highest epilepsy (191.9 mg/day), followed by pain (158.0 mg/day) GAD (150.0 mg/day). Only 1.0% (136/13,480) an ADD over maximum 600 mg/day. Of these, 18.4% (25/136) had abuse compared 14.0% (1884/13,480) full population. Conclusion Data DUS indicated that prescribing consistent product labelling. proportion > mg/day small similar