Table.
Comparison of methadone prescribing data for 1995 and 1997, south east England. Values are percentages (numbers) of prescriptions except when stated otherwise
| 1995 (n=584 prescriptions) | 1997 (n=864 prescriptions) | Statistics (χ2 or 95% CI of difference) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dosage form | |||
| No of prescriptions | 580 | 861 | |
| Tablets | 12.1 (70) | 9.5 (82) | Dosage form by year: χ2=4.04, df=2, P=0.13 |
| Ampoules | 9.8 (57) | 8.1 (70) | |
| Oral mixture | 78.1 (453) | 82.3 (709) | |
| Dispensing interval | |||
| No of prescriptions | 572 | 837 | |
| Daily (5, 6, 7 days a week) | 52.1 (298) | 55.8 (467) | Daily v not daily by year: χ2=1.87, df=1, P=0.17 |
| 2, 3 or 4 days a week | 15.6 (89) | 18.6 (156) | |
| Weekly or less | 32.3 (185) | 25.6 (214) | |
| Methadone daily dose—all prescriptions | |||
| No of prescriptions | 577 | 837 | |
| Mean (SD) dose (mg) | 52.0 (34.4) | 51.2 (35.8) | −4.6 to 2.9 |
| Interquartile values (mg) | 30, 45, 65 | 30, 45, 60 | |
| Percentage in 50-100 mg range | 43.8 (253) | 44.3 (371) | |
| Percentage >100 mg | 5.2 (30) | 4.4 (37) | |
| Different dosage forms | |||
| Tablets: | |||
| No of prescriptions | 69 | 80 | |
| Mean (SD) dose (mg) | 58.0 (47.8) | 53.7 (40.9) | −18.8 to 10.0 |
| Interquartile values (mg) | 20, 40, 75 | 30, 40, 60 | |
| Ampoules: | |||
| No of prescriptions | 56 | 68 | |
| Mean (SD) dose (mg) | 88.9 (56.7) | 94.2 (69.8) | −17.7 to 28.2 |
| Interquartile values (mg) | 50, 80, 100 | 50, 50, 150 | |
| Oral mixture: | |||
| No of prescriptions | 448 | 688 | |
| Mean (SD) dose (mg) | 46.4 (23.8) | 46.6 (26.2) | −2.8 to 3.2 |
| Interquartile values (mg) | 30, 45, 60 | 28, 45, 60 | |
| Percentage in 50-100 mg range | 44.2 (198) | 44.8 (308) | |
| Percentage >100 mg | 1.6 (7) | 1.6 (11) | |