Table 3.
Use, adjustments, and new prescription of FRIDs of 2812 older dizzy patients.
| Drug group | Use of FRIDs n (%)a | Dose reductions n (%)b | Discontinuation n (%)b | Newly prescribed n (%)b |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular FRIDs | ||||
| Diuretics | 1199 (42.6) | 27 (2.3) | 56 (4.7) | |
| β-Blockers | 1144 (40.7) | 35 (3.1) | 24 (2.1) | |
| Calcium channel blockers | 654 (23.3) | 19 (2.9) | 33 (5.0) | |
| Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors | 714 (25.4) | 17 (2.4) | 19 (2.7) | |
| Angiotensin receptor blockers | 620 (22.0) | 13 (2.1) | 9 (1.5) | |
| Nitrates | 343 (12.2) | 3 (0.9) | 4 (1.2) | |
| Antiarrhythmic agents | 61 (2.22) | 1 (1.6) | 0 (0) | |
| Digoxin | 97 (3.42) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |
| Psychotropic FRIDs | ||||
| Antivertigo drugs | 239 (8.52) | 0 (0) | 7 (2.9) | 143 (59.8) |
| Analgesics (opioids) | 524 (18.6) | 13 (2.5) | 23 (4.4) | |
| Anxiolytics and hypnotics | 815 (29.0) | 5 (0.6) | 8 (1.0) | |
| Antidepressants | 389 (13.8) | 4 (1.0) | 8 (2.1) | |
| Neuroleptics | 91 (3.22) | 2 (2.2) | 3 (3.3) | |
| α-blockers and anticholinergics | 330 (11.7) | 1 (0.3) | 14 (4.2) | |
| Hypoglycaemics | 508 (18.1) | 3 (0.6) | 3 (0.6) | |
| Antihistamines | 292 (10.4) | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.3) | |
| β-Blocker eye drops | 98 (3.52) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |
| Other FRIDs | 471 (16.7) | 3 (0.6) | 27 (0.6) | |
| No FRID use | 359 (12.8) | na | na | na |
| Total medication adjustments | na | 131 (4.7)c | 219 (7.8)d | (140)e |
a
Percent of patients being prescribed at least one drug of the displayed fall risk increasing drug categories during 2013.
b
Percent of patients with at least one FRID adjustment per FRID group.
c
In 14 patients, two medications were reduced in dose, in one patient three medications were reduced in dose.
d
In 20 patients two medications were stopped.
e
In three patients two antivertigo drugs were prescribed.
FRID: Fall Risk Increasing Drug; na: not applicable.