Table 4.
Common concurrent medicationsa by primary neurological condition.
| Description, % | AD/dementia (n = 17) | MS (n = 223) | Stroke/CBVD (n = 51) | TBI (n = 23) | ALS/MND (n = 199) | PD/movement disorders (n = 23) | Other PBA (n = 17) | Total (N = 553) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSAIDs | 23.5 | 36.3 | 19.6 | 30.4 | 40.2 | 17.4 | 5.9 | 33.8 |
| Antidepressants | 23.5 | 23.3 | 31.4 | 30.4 | 29.1 | 34.8 | 23.5 | 26.9 |
| Tricyclic antidepressants | 0 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 13.0 | 13.1 | 4.3 | 0 | 7.6 |
| SSRIs | 5.9 | 15.2 | 21.6 | 17.4 | 10.6 | 13.0 | 5.9 | 13.6 |
| Otherb | 17.6 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 8.7 | 10.1 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 9.8 |
| Lipid modifiers | 35.3 | 22.4 | 35.3 | 21.7 | 20.6 | 13.0 | 23.5 | 23.0 |
| Antithrombotics | 35.3 | 12.1 | 52.9 | 17.4 | 24.6 | 21.7 | 5.9 | 21.5 |
| Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen) | 35.3 | 25.6 | 19.6 | 21.7 | 14.1 | 13.0 | 5.9 | 19.9 |
| Drugs to inhibit gastric acid production | 23.5 | 15.7 | 23.5 | 21.7 | 22.6 | 17.4 | 23.5 | 19.7 |
| Vitamin E | 11.8 | 7.6 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 37.7 | 8.7 | 29.4 | 18.8 |
| Antiepileptics | 17.6 | 23.8 | 25.5 | 43.5 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 29.4 | 18.8 |
| Multivitamins, plain | 5.9 | 22.4 | 7.8 | 8.7 | 20.1 | 0 | 11.8 | 17.9 |
| Anxiolytics | 23.5 | 16.6 | 11.8 | 13.0 | 20.1 | 21.7 | 11.8 | 17.5 |
| Vitamin C | 11.8 | 12.6 | 0 | 4.3 | 30.7 | 8.7 | 0 | 17.0 |
| Antihistamines for systemic use | 17.6 | 14.8 | 7.8 | 26.1 | 18.1 | 4.3 | 17.6 | 15.6 |
| Vitamin B12 and folic acid | 11.8 | 9.9 | 7.8 | 17.4 | 20.1 | 4.3 | 11.8 | 13.6 |
| Calcium | 5.9 | 20.2 | 7.8 | 8.7 | 7.5 | 17.4 | 5.9 | 13.0 |
| Hypnotics and sedatives | 17.6 | 8.5 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 20.6 | 17.4 | 0 | 12.7 |
| Opioids | 11.8 | 11.7 | 5.9 | 8.7 | 15.1 | 4.3 | 11.8 | 11.9 |
| Laxatives | 11.8 | 9.4 | 5.9 | 4.3 | 17.1 | 0 | 11.8 | 11.4 |
| Misc. herbal | 0 | 13.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 15.1 | 0 | 0 | 10.8 |
| Beta-blocking agents | 11.8 | 6.7 | 13.7 | 4.3 | 13.1 | 17.4 | 5.9 | 10.1 |
| Thyroid preparations | 17.6 | 9.4 | 9.8 | 17.4 | 7.5 | 13.0 | 5.9 | 9.4 |
| ACE inhibitors, plain | 17.6 | 5.8 | 19.6 | 13.0 | 9.0 | 4.3 | 11.8 | 9.0 |
ACE: angiotensin-converting enzyme; AD: Alzheimer’s disease; ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; CBVD: cerebrovascular disorders; MND: motor neuron disease; MS: multiple sclerosis; NSAIDs: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; PBA: pseudobulbar affect; PD: Parkinson’s disease; SSRI: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; TBI: traumatic brain injury.
aUsed for ≥3 months and taken during the study; drug use represents minimum use in each category and may not include some combination products such as antihistamine cold products, combinations of vitamins and herbals, etc.
bOther includes: venlafaxine, 3.6%; bupropion, 3.3%; trazodone, 2.5%; mirtazepine, 1.3%; duloxetine, mianserin, nefazodone, reboxetine, and hydroxytryptophan, 0.2% (1 patient) each.